Saints Predicted To Replace Spencer Rattler With Star QB Prospect
The New Orleans Saints came into the offseason with a lot of question marks at quarterback, especially after Derek Carr retired. Head coach Kellen Moore opted for second-year signal caller Spencer Rattler to be the team's starting quarterback, which seemed a bit risky at first.
Rattler struggled mightily last year, but it was clear early in the season that he's not the same quarterback he was a year ago. Through four weeks, the young Saints signal caller has looked much better than he did last year, though he's been given little help. Still, if New Orleans is selecting at the top of the next NFL Draft, it's hard to imagine the front office wouldn't go after a new franchise quarterback.
FanSided's Christopher Kline recently predicted the Saints would land the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and use that selection to take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Saints predicted to draft Fernando Mendoza in 2026 NFL Draft
"There was a time not so long ago when Arch Manning was penciled into this spot, which felt so fitting. But Manning has looked overmatched in the early going for Texas, which also guarantees a return to Austin for his senior campaign in 2026," Kline wrote. "The best quarterback in college football right now is Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, who transferred from Cal and took immediately to Curt Cignetti's offense.
"There will be a lot of Garrett Nussmeier buzz since his father is the New Orleans Saints' offensive coordinator, but if the Saints decide to put feelings aside and prioritize the best available talent, Mendoza clears the field right now. He's the prototypical NFL quarterback on paper — tall, athletic, and blessed with incredible touch."
The book should still be open on Rattler. He's looked solid enough this season to continue earning chances as the starter. If the Saints replace him with Mendoza, while not addressing their bigger issues, they'll be in the same situation a year from now.
But if they land the No. 1 pick in the draft, it's clear they need some kind of change. The Saints came into the season as the worst team in the league and they're certainly playing that way.
Mendoza is a talented quarterback with a lot of potential. If New Orleans isn't happy with what it sees from Rattler this season, this idea would make a lot of sense.
Steelers just found out how to unlock the ultimate cheat code on offense
The Pittsburgh Steelers finally found consistent offensive success in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings. While Mike Tomlin's team only put up 24 points by the end of the game, the Steelers had their most efficient overall offensive showing of the season and were able to run the ball effectively for the first time this year.
There's a reason for that, and his name is Darnell Washington.
In the first three weeks of the season, the Steelers averaged 63 rushing yards per game on a dismal 2.8 yards per carry. But in Week 4, everything changed. Though they were without starting running back Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh exploded for 131 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 4.5 yards per carry.
Multiple factors contribute to this success, and the Vikings were already susceptible to the run entering Week 4. However, Washington's added presence is the common denominator.
With unmatched size and strength at the tight end position, Washington is like a cheat code. He can serve as an extra offensive tackle in pass protection or as a run blocker. He proved it in Dublin, Ireland. For only the fourth time in his three-year NFL career, Washington was on the field for more than 40 offensive snaps, and Pittsburgh's offense looked the best it has all season.
The 6-foot-7 tight end used his impressive size and strength to move defenders off the ball and pave rushing lanes for backup running back Kenneth Gainwell. This allowed Gainwell, a former Super Bowl champion with the Philadelphia Eagles, to have a career performance in his first start with the Steelers.
When he wasn't blocking during the Vikings game, Washington could leak out as a receiver. He instantly became a nightmare to bring down after the catch, and the big tight end plowed his way to 10 yards after the catch on three receptions (3 targets).
Darnell Washington should be the Pittsburgh Steelers' most-used tight end
This might be the key. When you look at the tight end snap counts after the game, Darnell Washington led the pack with 48. Believe it or not, this was followed by tight end-eligable offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (19), then Connor Heyward (16), Pat Freiermuth (15), and finally, Jonnu Smith (13).
Though Freiermuth and Smith have a combined average annual earnings of over $24 million per season, per Over The Cap, the Steelers shouldn't let contracts decide which players should see the field the most. Washington offers two things neither of these tight ends has: un-guardable size and unstoppable strength.
Looking at the box score numbers (three receptions for 20 yards), you'd think that Washington didn't make much of an impact in the Steelers' win over the Vikings. However, the tape tells an entirely different story. Washington played a major role in pushing Minnesota defensive linemen off the ball at the line of scrimmage and controlling the offensive trenches.
But here's the most remarkable statistic.
When the Steelers play Washington more than 40 offensive snaps in a game over his career, Pittsburgh has a 6-0 record. In these games, the offense rushes for 125.1 yards per game with seven total rushing touchdowns, and the Steelers have outscored their opponents 149-110. Mike Tomlin's team is also 2-0 against the Baltimore Ravens when Washington plays north of 40 snaps.
Obviously, Washington's usage is often determined by the team's game script. If the Steelers have a lead, the big tight end will usually see increased snaps as the offense attempts to chew the clock and run the football.
Still, it's hard to argue with the results. There's only one 6-foot-7, 300-pound tight end with a 7-foot wingspan in the NFL who can be used as a cheat code, and he's on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Darnell Washington's unmatched combination of size and strength makes him one of the rarest players in the NFL, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are finally finding out just how special he is to the offense.
