New Orleans Saints fans didn't plan on firing up mock draft machines just five weeks into their 2026 season, but that's what a 1-4 start will do. We used the PFN mock draft simulator to simulate seven rounds of picks in the 2027 NFL Draft. Remember that free agency comes first, and the Saints expect to make some noise after clearing more than $100 million in dead money from their books this season. Maybe they circle back to edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson after failing to reach an agreement on a multi-year deal or upgrade the defensive interior with a big swing on Philadelphia Eagles standout Moro Ojomo. They should definitely sign an experienced kicker like Chase McLaughlin, Chad Ryland, or Riley Patterson if they reach the free agent market.
You could argue that it doesn't matter who the Saints are picking when it's Mickey Loomis (whose record is 56-81, for a winning percentage of just .409) and Kellen Moore (7-15, or .318) making those decisions, with Brandon Staley's defense (second-most points allowed) in mind. But we'll have to assume it is until the team makes a change. So we'll be looking to recent drafts from that duo for some guidance in these picks. Let's get to it.
Round 1, 6th overall: DL Will Echoles, Ole Miss
Both of our top targets went off the board before our pick, but we're still taking the best defender available in Echoles. Bryan Bresee is returning from a season-ending injury in a contract year, and both Nathan Shepherd and Davon Godchaux are free agents. Slot Echoles in at one of the interior spots opposite Bresee with Vernon Broughton rotating in to keep them both fresh, while Christen Miller starts at nose tackle. That's an immediate upgrade for a defensive line that badly needs more talent.
Round 2, 37th overall: CB Zavien Brown, Alabama
We were looking at two defensive backs here: California safety Kingston Lopa and Alabama corner Zavien Brown. Lopa has had a great season after transferring from Oregon (five interceptions) but he has a lot of eligibility left and may not declare. Brown is an experienced corner with just four penalties on 1,758 snaps, and he could start right away opposite Kool-Aid McKinstry. Another guy we considered was Indiana left tackle Carter Smith, who could move inside to guard for the Saints. At the end of the day it felt like Brown offered the most immediate impact at a premium position.
Round 3, 68th overall: RB Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss
It wasn't the plan to go all-SEC (and to double dip from Oxford) with our first three picks. But Lacy was comfortably the best available prospect when we went on the clock, and he would add some real juice to a backfield currently missing it. Lacy leads his team in missed tackles forced (16) and runs of 10-plus yards (7), numbers that would also lead the Saints by wide margins. He's exactly the kind of tone-setter New Orleans doesn't have right now. Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller are both free agents in 2027.
Round 4, 108th overall: EDGE Will Heldt, Clemson
Heidt took a big step forward last season with 7.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss (leading the program), and he's off to a good start with 4 sacks and 6.5 TFL's across five games this season. He's a big end at 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds but fits the Saints well with his experience in a variety of defensive fronts. He can line up over the tackle, slide over to the guard's outside shoulder, or cover ground in space. He could get snaps right away with Cameron Jordan expected to retire.
Round 5, 142nd overall: LB Cade Uluave, BYU
Uluave was coached by Saints assistant Peter Sirmon at Cal, and he earned meaningful snaps on defense as a freshman after an injury sidelined his teammate Jackson Sirmon (currently on New Orleans' practice squad). He's a smaller linebacker at a listed 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds but he can fly and tackle well. He would make the Saints a lot faster in the open field while pushing guys like Isaiah Stalbird for reps.
Round 6, 183rd overall: LT McKale Boley, Virginia
Boley is a four-year starter at left tackle for the Virginia Cavaliers, and he's put together an impressive body of work. He could add much-needed depth to the offensive line and give the Saints another layer of insulation between Kelvin Banks Jr. and rotating backups like Asim Richards and Mason Murphy into games to figure out which is the better option. He's only been penalized nine times on more than 2,600 snaps at the college level and has NFL size at 6-foot-5 and 329 pounds.
This is the pick the Saints got from the Los Angeles Chargers for Trevor Penning last year; they traded their own sixth rounder to the New England Patriots (for Ja'Lynn Polk) while dealing their seventh-round choice to the Denver Broncos (for Devaughn Vele).
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Mock Draft Monday: 7 rounds of Saints picks after disastrous start
