The New Orleans Saints were surprisingly capable in 2025, finishing the regular season 6-11. New Orleans rode that momentum into the offseason, signing some great players in NFL free agency. Now the Saints are just a few more pieces away from becoming a truly frisky team in the NFC South.
Next up for the Saints is the 2026 NFL Draft. New Orleans enters the draft with eight total selections, including the eighth overall pick. New Orleans could walk away with a franchise-altering player if they make the right pick.
But will the Saints go offense or defense in the first round? And which prospects should fans keep an eye on as the draft approaches?
These are the prospects who analysts are mocking to New Orleans weeks before the draft.
WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
The Saints grab themselves another Ohio State wide receiver in this scenario.
Tate is a prototypical Z receiver who has excellent speed and agility. Both of those traits help him thrive when running intermediate and deep routes. Renner argued that Tate’s skills are a perfect match for Saints QB Tyler Shough.
“Tyler Shough’s go balls were one of the most impressive parts of his rookie season, but he didn’t have receivers outside of Chris Olave to haul them in,” Renner wrote. “That’s Tate’s specialty, as he has the body control to consistently come down with passes in tight situations downfield.”
Tate played well in 2025 despite sharing the offense with superstar Jeremiah Smith. He logged 51 receptions for 875 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 11 games last fall. Tate missed three games due to a calf injury that he picked up against Purdue.
The addition of Tate would be a sound investment in Shough’s development, and the future of the team’s offense in general.
If the Saints go offense in the first round, this has to be the pick.
EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Rhett Lewis, NFL.com; Peter Schrager, ESPN; Nick Shook, NFL.com
Bain has become one of the most popular players mocked to the Saints in the weeks before the draft.
It is easy to understand the rationale. New Orleans does not have much depth at edge rusher, which by itself puts that position on the table. Chase Young and Carl Granderson are solid players, but not a great starting tandem. Both players are only under contract through 2027, which means the Saints need to start thinking about the future right now.
One unknown is veteran Cameron Jordan, who hit free agency for the first time in his career back in March. He has yet to sign with another team, so there’s a chance he could return to New Orleans.
But Lewis explained that New Orleans needs to think about drafting Bain either way.
“Even if Cameron Jordan re-signs with the Saints this offseason, the team needs to find another presence on the edge,” Lewis argued. “Bain gives them a menace both as a pass rusher and run defender.”
Bain has short arms for an NFL pass rusher, which could take him off some draft boards. The Saints could easily overlook that concern and grab themselves a foundational defensive player in the process.
CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Daire Carragher, PFF; JP Acosta, CBS Sports; Nate Tice and Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports
Delane is the other popular pick for the Saints by national analysts.
New Orleans will enter the draft with Kool-Aid McKinstry, Quincy Riley, and Jordan Howden as their top cornerbacks. That is a solid core, but it should not stop the Saints from adding young talent at the position.
“The Saints may need to double-dip at defensive back in this year’s draft. Alontae Taylor’s departure means the team needs a new full-time slot corner,” Carragher wrote. “As a long, lean cornerback, Delane aligned in the slot on fewer than 5% of his collegiate snaps. He projects as an immediate upgrade on the perimeter.”
Delane is widely regarded as the best cornerback in this year’s draft class. He excels when playing press man coverage, but holds his own in zone as well. Delane projects as an immediate starter in the NFL who could develop into one of the league’s best at the position.
The fact that Delane is a familiar face to LSU fans is just the cherry on top.
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