Breaking down the New Orleans Saints NFL Draft outlook, including their picks, team needs and 2026 first-round mock draft projections.
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Given that they were expected to be the worst team in football, one could argue that the New Orleans Saints overachieved by winning six games. However, that still wasn’t enough to avoid a last-place finish in the NFC South.
There is slightly more optimism in the Big Easy ahead of 2026, largely due to the play of quarterback Tyler Shough down the stretch last season. That said, the Saints still have plenty of team needs to address in the NFL Draft.
GM Mickey Loomis and head coach Kellen Moore enter their second season working together with several positional needs to address. They continue to navigate an aging roster and a tricky salary cap situation in their quest to improve the team.
Let’s take a look at the full list of 2026 New Orleans Saints NFL Draft picks, team needs and first-round mock drafts.
New Orleans Saints NFL Draft Picks 2026
| Round | Overall | From |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | |
| 2 | 42 | |
| 3 | 73 | |
| 4 | 132 | via SEA |
| 4 | 136 | Compensatory |
| 5 | 150 | |
| 5 | 172 | via SEA |
| 6 | 190 |
New Orleans Saints NFL Draft Needs
Wide Receiver
While Devaughn Vele showed flashes of production last season to justify the trade for him, the Saints could certainly stand to upgrade at wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft. Other than Chris Olave, no one on the depth chart profiles as a sure thing. To that end, Olave accounted for over 27% of the team’s targets last season. Clearly, he needs some help.
EDGE
Outside of Chase Young and Carl Granderson, New Orleans has very little quality depth in the edge rush department. Demario Davis departed in free agency and Cameron Jordan also remains unsigned. Even if the latter does return, the Saints could sorely stand to address the position with some youthful production in the draft.
Cornerback
With the departure of Alontae Taylor in free agency, a lot of snaps opened up in the Saints’ secondary. As it stands now, Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley are the top two options with no solid option at slot corner specifically. Thus, it seems very likely that New Orleans will address the defensive backfield in the NFL Draft.
Other Saints Draft Needs
- Defensive Line
- Linebacker
- Offensive Line
With these needs in mind, let’s take a look at how analysts are projecting the Saints to approach the first round.
New Orleans Saints Mock Drafts | First-Round Picks
Here are four New Orleans Saints mock drafts for the first round from ESPN, CBS, NFL Network and FlurrySports. Who do draft pundits think the Saints will select with the eighth overall pick?
No. 8 | Saints NFL Draft Pick
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State | ESPN & CBS
If Sonny Styles somehow does fall to the Saints at No. 8 overall, one has to believe that they would pull the trigger. He has great size and also has prior starting experience in college as a safety. There’s no doubt he can play a number of roles within an NFL defense as needed, something that the current iteration of the Saints would welcome.
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn | NFL Network
With the Saints’ edge rusher current outlook being rather dire, it would not be a surprise to see them attack this need with their first-round selection. With great size and the versatility to play multiple positions, Keldric Faulk is one of the best options available at the position. He’s a disciplined run defender and has no trouble getting after opposing QBs.
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State | FlurrySports
Although his profile is different than Rashid Shaheed, the Saints have an opportunity to get the consensus WR1 in this year’s draft class. Carnell Tate would provide Tyler Shough with another weapon, relieve some of the burden off of Chris Olave and serve as another foundational piece for Kellen Moore’s offense in New Orleans.
