Feelings around the New Orleans Saints’ season have gone in an entirely different direction in recent weeks, and with that, their draft pick continues to fall.
Here is the new draft order.
Updated 2026 NFL Draft order
- New York Giants
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Cleveland Browns
- New York Jets
- Tennessee Titans
- Arizona Cardinals
- Washington Commanders
- New Orleans Saints
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Miami Dolphins
- Los Angeles Rams (previously owned by Atlanta Falcons)
- Baltimore Ravens
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Dallas Cowboys
- Detroit Lions
- Minnesota Vikings
- New York Jets (previously owned by the Indianapolis Colts)
- Carolina Panthers
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Dallas Cowboys (previously owned by the Green Bay Packers)
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Houston Texans
- Buffalo Bills
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Cleveland Browns (previously owned by the Jacksonville Jaguars)
- San Francisco 49ers
- Los Angeles Rams
- Chicago Bears
- New England Patriots
- Seattle Seahawks
- Denver Broncos
What the Saints can do at #8
Like the past few weeks, the Saints dropping in the draft order is not the end of the world. There are still several great players available, and S Caleb Downs could be one of the top options. Safety is not a position of need for New Orleans, but this is all about the best player available and talent. Downs is one of the best players in the draft.
If positional value were removed, Downs would be in the race for #1 overall. He can play throughout the defense, is a great tackler, and plays like a cornerback in coverage. Instead of safety, where his central college position is, Downs could play slot corner for the Saints. This would both fill a need and add top-end talent to the roster. This would become an even better pick if Alontae Taylor, who is out of contract after this season, leaves in free agency.
