New Orleans Saints 2026 NFL Draft: Where they are projected to pick following trade deadline, potential needs, and top prospects
The Saints need to find answers in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The New Orleans Saints, sitting at 1-8, traded away wide receiver Rashid Shaheed and offensive lineman Trevor Penning this week, ahead of the NFL trade deadline. With those moves and the continued team struggles, it’s worth taking a look at New Orleans’ situation for next year’s NFL Draft.
Saints keep top overall pick in 2026 NFL Draft after nine weeks
After nine weeks of play, the Saints haven’t shown a ton of signs on excitement. Their horrific 1-8 record has them projected with the top overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft as of now. That could change, especially with late-season matchups with the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans, but only time will tell.
New Orleans Saints 2026 projected draft picks following trade deadline
- 1st-round pick
- 2nd-round pick
- 3rd-round pick
- 4th-round pick (via Seattle)
- 4th-round pick (Compensatory)
- 5th-round pick
- 5th-round pick (via Seattle)
- 6th-round pick
3 biggest roster needs for New Orleans
Quarterback: This one is obvious. It’s tough to predict that the Saints have their long-term answer at quarterback in the building as of now. The jury is still out on Tyler Shough, but picking as early as they may be in 2026 could push them to take a QB.
Pass Rusher: The pass rush for New Orleans has been one of the worst in the NFL over the past two seasons. They consistently struggled to bring down opposing quarterbacks, even when generating pressures. Chase Young is the only pass rusher who is performing on passing downs recently, and New Orleans needs to upgrade that room in the offseason. Cam Jordan may also retire, creating more depth concerns.
Wide Receiver: Rashid Shaheed is out and headed to Seattle. The Saints still have Chris Olave and have had discussions about a contract extension with him. Devaughn Vele should grab a larger role for the remainder of this season, and I am intrigued to see him play. That being said, the upside is capped in the WR room. That’s been an issue since the Sean Payton days and still rages on with Kellen Moore in his first season.
2026 NFL Draft has notable offensive line depth and upside
It remains to be seen how Kellen Moore will navigate a draft with such a premium pick, but as the losses and disappointing performances mount, the more likely that scenario seems for New Orleans. Only time will tell. Regardless, the top position group for next year’s draft may not line up with the targets for New Orleans early on in the picking process.
“As we stand 10 weeks into the college football season, the deepest offensive position group seems to be the big guys up front. If you account for interior offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane of Penn State, there is a world where five linemen go somewhere in the top 25 picks. The top tackles include Francis Mauigoa, Spencer Fano, Kadyn Proctor, and Caleb Lomu, with some potential risers on the way. If you need a tackle or even a road-grading offensive lineman along the interior, 2026 is a great year to find one.” — Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports
New Orleans should not address offensive line at the start of their draft. Leave those depth and interior concerns to free agency and day three of the draft. We’ll see if the Saints actually follow that premise once April rolls around, though.
No matter what – there is plenty of work for Moore and the front office to do in order to get back into the playoff discussion in New Orleans’ future. Plenty of questions and concerns remain.
Seattle Seahawks News
Seattle Seahawks just got the best advice they could possibly get from the best person possible regarding new WR Rashid Shaheed
The Seattle Seahawks just traded with the New Orleans Saints for wide receiver Rashid Shaheed.
