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NO
New Orleans Saints
Draft Needs
| Priority | Position | Level | Target Round | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WR | CRITICAL | Round 1 | Traded Rashid Shaheed at the deadline; receiving corps is thin with QB Tyler Shough needing proven pass catchers; two WR spots are listed as high-priority needs by multiple analysts |
| 2 | EDGE | HIGH | Round 2 | Cameron Jordan (36, 10.5 sacks in 2025) is a free agent at age 37; Demario Davis also departed (to NYJ); Cameron Jordan's replacement is urgently needed on the defensive line |
| 3 | DT | HIGH | Round 2 | Interior defensive line depth needed alongside Jordan's potential departure; run defense requires reinforcement with multiple defensive linemen in contract years |
| 4 | OG | HIGH | Round 3 | Two guards listed as priority needs by WalterFootball; interior offensive line must be upgraded to support Tyler Shough's development as the starting QB |
| 5 | CB | MEDIUM | Round 2 | Already have Kool-Aid McKinstry and depth at CB but could use an upgrade; Mansoor Delane-type prospect could immediately become CB1 and improve the entire unit |
| 6 | LB | MEDIUM | Round 4 | Signed Kaden Elliss ($33M) to shore up linebacker but depth is still needed, especially with Demario Davis gone to NYJ; need a second quality LB to complement Elliss |
Draft Strategy
Balanced Approach
This team takes a balanced approach, weighing both player value and team needs. They will take the best player available when the value is clear, but will also factor in positional need when players are similarly rated.
Team Info
New Orleans
City
Saints
Nickname
NFC
Conference
South
Division
2026 Draft Picks
8
Total Picks
1
Round 1
3
Top 3 Rounds
1
Compensatory
| Round | Pick | Overall | Type | Original Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rd 1 | 8 | #8 | OWN | - |
| Rd 2 | 42 | #42 | OWN | - |
| Rd 3 | 73 | #73 | OWN | - |
| Rd 4 | 132 | #132 | TRADE | SEA |
| Rd 4 | 136 | #136 | COMP | - |
| Rd 5 | 150 | #150 | OWN | - |
| Rd 5 | 172 | #172 | TRADE | SEA |
| Rd 6 | 190 | #190 | OWN | - |
Needs Summary
1
WR
CRITICAL
2
EDGE
HIGH
3
DT
HIGH
4
OG
HIGH
5
CB
MEDIUM
6
LB
MEDIUM
2026 Offseason Moves
+ Additions
David Edwards
OG
FREE AGENCY
from FA
$15.0M/yr
4yr
John Ridgeway
DT
FREE AGENCY
from FA
$3.1M/yr
2yr
Kaden Elliss
LB
FREE AGENCY
from ATL
$13.0M/yr
3yr
Noah Fant
TE
FREE AGENCY
from SEA
Signed 2-year deal from Seattle Seahawks
Ryan Wright
P
FREE AGENCY
from MIN
$3.5M/yr
4yr
Travis Etienne Jr.
RB
FREE AGENCY
from JAX
$13.0M/yr
4yr
− Losses
Alontae Taylor
CB
FREE AGENCY
to TEN
Signed with Tennessee Titans
Cameron Jordan
DE
FREE AGENCY
Departed as unrestricted free agent; long-time Saints franchise player
Demario Davis
LB
FREE AGENCY
to NYJ
$11.0M/yr
2yr
Kai Kroeger
P
TRADE
to HOU
Traded to Houston Texans with a 2028 7th-round pick for a 2029 6th-round pick
Luke Fortner
C
FREE AGENCY
to CAR
$4.8M/yr
1yr
Taysom Hill
TE
FREE AGENCY
Departed as unrestricted free agent