Saints are already giving everyone a huge hint about their 2026 NFL Draft master plan

Does a major trend end during the 2026 NFL Draft for the Saints? They are already giving hints that it will before round one ever starts.

Adam Holt — NFL News Writer
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Aug 17, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier talks to New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore, left, before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Predicting the NFL Draft is a tall task. Predicting how the New Orleans Saints navigate the draft is nearly impossible in most years. 2026 seems to be one of those.

That being said, Kellen Moore and the front office are dropping some intriguing nuggets when it comes to a position they may target early on that would break a trend.

Wide receiver interest is clear for Saints

New Orleans is not being shy about their outlook on some of the top wide receivers in this class. They have already met with seven wideouts expected to go between rounds one and four in this year’s draft via top 30 visits.

That list only continues to grow, and it includes projected first round picks Jordyn Tyson, Carnell Tate, and Makai Lemon. They clearly have WR at the front of mind entering the draft.

  • Louisville WR Chris Bell
  • Washington WR Denzel Boston
  • Indiana WR Omar Cooper
  • Georgia State WR Ted Hurst
  • USC WR Makai Lemon
  • Ohio State WR Carnell Tate
  • Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson
    • via Ross Jackson

Breaking free from a trend for New Orleans

According to a graphic from Warren Sharp, the Saints are in dead last when it comes to draft capital spent on wideouts since 2020. That won’t shock many fans, though.

They have continually passed on addressing the upside and depth at the position via the draft annually. They’ve opted to add veteran presences for depth, and their lone major WR move in the draft is picking Chris Olave in the first round during that span.

New Orleans certainly wants to improve the talent around Tyler Shough, but do they jump on that need in the first round? Only time will tell.

The young quarterback is pushing for the Saints to pick his former teammate, Chris Bell, and he’s visited with the organization already. On the other hand, the Saints may choose to address defensive needs in the first couple rounds – then address the WR spot on day two or three.

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