Risk Flags
6- Injury Concerns2
Palmer spent the entire 2025 season on IR with combined ankle and hamstring issues after being claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay, logging zero snaps for New Orleans. Back-to-back injury seasons raise serious durability concerns heading into 2026.
- Draft Capital2
The Saints hold the 8th overall pick in the 2026 draft and draft buzz is heavily pointing toward a WR (Makai Lemon, Carnell Tate, Tetairoa McMillan). A Day 1 WR addition would immediately slot above Palmer and further compress his opportunity.
- Target Competition
New Orleans added three WRs in the 2026 draft (Tyson R1, Bryce Lance R4, Barion Brown R6), making an already crowded room (Olave, Tyson, Vele, Polk, Tipton) nearly impossible for Palmer to crack into regular rotation.
- Role Uncertainty
Palmer is at best WR5-6 on the current Saints roster behind Olave, Tyson, Vele, Polk, and Tipton. His roster spot itself is in jeopardy during final cuts given the volume of WR competition added this offseason.