Saints 2026 NFL Draft: Where New Orleans is projected to pick following surprising win, potential needs, and top prospects
Everything you need to know about the New Orleans Saints 2026 NFL Draft.
The New Orleans Saints earned, emphasis on that word, a victory in Week 10 against a Carolina Panthers team who was playing impressive football entering the matchup. Kellen Moore’s offense had more upside in Tyler Shough’s second start, and the defense had their best performance under defensive coordinator Brandon Staley.
With that win, though, there were 2026 NFL Draft ramifications. Luckily for New Orleans, a couple of other teams around them in the draft order also earned victories this past week.
New Orleans Saints 2026 projected draft picks following Week 10
- 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
Saints sit at second overall pick after ten games
New Orleans is currently projected to have the second overall selection in next year’s draft. They drop one spot, heeding to the Tennessee Titans for the top spot in the order. While that may concern some fans, it was always unlikely that the Saints went winless over the back half of this schedule. The win against the Panthers was good for team morale.
The New York Jets and Miami Dolphins both got a victory in Week 10 as well, pushing them further down the board.
Top 3 needs for Saints roster after ten weeks of play
Quarterback: Shough’s performance in Week 10 alleviated some heavy pressure on the young starter. That being said, the finish to the season will determine how the franchise navigates the QB position in the upcoming offseason.
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 in 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.
Potential pass rush help in the 2026 NFL Draft class for New Orleans
I called on fellow A to Z Sports contributor Rob Gregson to give me a bit more insight into a couple of the premier pass rushers in the upcoming draft class. Reuben Bain Jr. and Arvell Reese have cemented themselves into top ten overall pick discussions, and the Saints have a notable need for another edge rusher.
“Rueben Bain Jr. is a little different than most EDGE players. He’s got more of a compact frame and lacks the true length you typically desire from an edge player , but man does he have everything you could ask for in terms of a pass rush plan. The bend and ankle flexion on a player of that weight and body composition is absurd. His hands have weight and power that we be felt on day one, and he can play every down in the league. You just have to tell yourself to ignore the length.”
“Arvell Reese is last year’s Jalon Walker, but if you took him to a lab and tinkered with his skill set to make a created player. There is nothing he can’t do along the front seven. Off ball? No problem. Rush the passer? Easy. Display power win at the junction point? No problem. Want him to run the hoop and attack the width of the pocket? He checks that box as well. He’s a five tool player that can play all over an NFL defense but will be best served as a pass rusher. He’s the exact kind of player that you start a rebuild with.” — Rob Gregson
With a strong pass rush group at the top, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Saints go in that direction to start their 2026 NFL Draft class. That becomes even more likely if rookie QB Tyler Shough continues to play like he did in Week 10. He holds the keys to his future with the team right now.
New Orleans Saints News
Saints rookie QB Tyler Shough answered a massive question with his phenomenal performance in win over Panthers
What a start by the rookie.
