New Orleans Saints third-round pick Oscar Delp has been impressive so far this offseason with his elite athleticism and potential in Kellen Moore's offense; however, fans must temper their expectations for the rookie. It's rational to be hopeful and expect him to contribute this season, but he may not get the opportunity until near the end of the season.
Delp is projected to be the third tight end to start the season behind Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant. As a result, he likely won't have a heavy workload immediately. He will see the field as a run blocker, and sparsely as a pass catcher early in 2026.
Fans might get frustrated during this stretch, but they have to remember that he's still developing. Delp didn't have much experience as a pass catcher last year at Georgia. Because of this, he will need time to improve his route running and instincts.
Despite this, don't be surprised to see Oscar Delp heavily contribute late in the season.
Although Delp might have a slow start to his season, there's no reason he can't burst onto the scene late in the season. The Saints are likely to be competing for a playoff spot late in the season, so adding another dynamic threat to the offense will be wise. The rookie's superhuman athleticism makes him a versatile chess piece that Kellen Moore can scheme up a variety of uses for.
If this happens, Delp will take a majority of Fant's snaps down the stretch because he's simply more explosive and has a much higher upside. The coaching staff clearly likes him and wants him to be their long-term option. The numbers still might not be staggering this year, but they don't have to be for him to be impactful. The most important thing is that Delp establishes himself as a weapon for Tyler Shough.
There will be times this season when people get upset that Oscar Delp isn't being fully utilized. However, they have to trust the process and understand that his development will take time. But that doesn't mean he won't be contributing this season. Expect Delp to play a major role down the stretch and play a critical part in an offense fighting for a playoff spot.
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