The New Orleans Saints were able to address many of their needs in free agency, but there are still spots to fill. The entire NFL has slowed down with signings, and the Saints seem to be making depth moves at this point. New Orleans can still find a starting CB or WR, but for the time being, I’m going to go ahead with the current signings in mind.
Looking at the roster, the Saints still need a WR2, two EDGEs, a CB (outside or slot), DT depth, LB depth, potentially RG, and TE depth. Nearly all of these
positions can be addressed in the draft, and that would be excellent, even if they cannot fix everything. As long as there’s not a major hole on the roster, a jump can be made in 2026.
Taking the remaining needs in mind, these is my thoughts on what the Saints should do in the draft:
Round 1 – Best Defensive Player Available
At #8, the Saints can legitimately go any player. It does not matter whether it is offense or defense; if they believe he is the best player available, the Saints can pick him. Now, realistically, Jeremiyah Love should be gone by the Saints’ selection, and because of the stellar WR depth in this class, going that position at 8 can be avoided. So, that really leaves the defense as the real option, and it does not matter if it’s Caleb Downs, Mansoor Delane, Sonny Styles, or Reuben Bain Jr.; the Saints should select one of them.
Bain Jr. is the realistic dream for New Orleans, especially if they don’t bring back Cam Jordan. EDGE is the top need on the roster.
Round 2 – WR
For the second round pick, the Saints need to go WR here, no matter what. There is a really good chance this year’s draft breaks a record for the most WRs taken in the first two days; that is how good the depth of this class is. With the Saints needing a high-level WR2, #42 is a perfect place where there should still be really good names available.
Some realistic options include Germie Bernard, Antonio Williams, Skyler Bell, and Ted Hurst.
Round 3 – Attack a Remaining Need
There should still be really good options for the Saints at #73, so finding the best player available that fits a need would be smart here. This could be an EDGE, especially if the Saints do not get that in the 1st round, RG, CB, DT, LB or anything else the team thinks they need to address.
For EDGE, Dani Dennis-Sutton, RG, Keylan Rutledge, CB, Malik Muhammed, DT, Darrell Jackson Jr., LB, Jake Golday.
Round 3 (Trade) – Use #132 and #136 To Move Up to the Top-100
The Saints have some great draft capital this year, and they have an oppurtunity to trade up back into the top-100. #132 and #136 (plus maybe a future late-round pick) can get the Saints back into that range, and after trading up, they can do exactly what they did at the other 3rd-round pick. Attack a remaining need that was not addressed.
Day 3 – Work on the Defense
In free agency, the Saints went offense-heavy for their top signings, and the defense is not set up to improve next season. Hopefully, as I have explained, the Saints can get upgrades on defense earlier than day 3, but depth-wise, that side of the ball is still lacking.
If the team trades up using #132 and #136, they will be left with #150, #172, and #190. All three of these picks should be used to address defensive depth or even some starting spots that still need players.
