New Orleans Saints 7-round mock draft: Kellen Moore finds his new QB by taking current Heisman Trophy candidate
Here’s a look ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft for the Saints.
The New Orleans Saints are 0-3 through three frustrating weeks of play. Kellen Moore’s team hasn’t played disciplined, and the overall product has been sloppy. Looking ahead, plenty of fans are already looking at the 2026 NFL Draft class.
As far as mock drafts go, September scenarios often don’t age well. That won’t stop me from creating one here, though. Take a look at a potential draft class for next year that would make sense for the future of the black and gold.
2026 Saints mock draft after Week 3 loss
Round 1, Pick 2: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
“A former five-star player in the 2023 recruiting class, there has never been a question about the pure talent that Dante Moore possesses. After a detour for a year with the UCLA Bruins, Moore opted to transfer to the Oregon Ducks and served as a backup to Dillon Gabriel during the 2024 season. That year to sit and learn has paid off tremendously, and the talented signal caller has looked incredibly confident and decisive so far this season.
Still only 20 years old, the 6-3, 210-pound passer has a quick and snappy delivery to get the football out on time. There is also natural arm talent to affect all levels of the field, showing the understanding to throw with pace when needed, and also throw from different arm angles and trajectories. If Moore continues his confident play against the better players on the schedule, he has a chance to compete to be the first quarterback off the board come April.” — Ryan Roberts, A to Z Sports
Moore currently has the third-best Heisman odds (+1100) through four games, via DraftKings Sporstbook.
Round 2, Pick 33: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
The pass rush is a weakness for the Saints once again in 2025. Sam Darnold was nearly untouched by the starting DL unit for New Orleans in Week 3, even if they are without Chase Young right now. Adding Sutton immediately upgrades the upside of the rushing group, and he has a ceiling of being a 10+ sack guy at the pro level.
If he makes it to early round two, expect the Saints to have an eye on him. They should – at least.
Round 3, Pick 74: Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke
Rivers is a tad undersized, but he plays bigger than his frame. At the NFL level, he may slot inside, but I think he has the versatility to be moved around in a pro secondary.
The Saints cornerback room is incredibly unproven, and Isaac Yiadom shouldn’t be on the roster in 2026. Kool-Aid McKinstry is taking his lumps currently, in his second year in the league, but I’d expect him to still be in the fold next season. Adding Rivers creates notable depth on the back end, and he’s really twitchy at his size.
Round 5, Pick 147: Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
Get whoever is playing quarterback another big-bodied receiving option in New Orleans. Devaughn Vele was brought in during the offseason (somehow garnering a fourth-round pick for Denver), but he’s not a consistent piece to the offense in the long-term. I like him as depth, but there just arent enough capable bodies at wideout right now for the Saints.
The entire offensive unit is feeling that, and Kellen Moore will be happy to spread the ball around. Sarratt is a red zone menace and has a great feel over the middle of the field at his size.
Round 6, Pick 190: Logan Jones, IOL, Iowa
This would be awesome value for Jones here. He’s a stout, interior blocker for the Hawkeyes, and New Orleans needs to continue investing on the interior offensive line. Cesar Ruiz has struggled at times so far this season, and the other guard spot has been plagued by injuries. Adding Jones to the mix would create more depth and young potential going forward.
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