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Defensive superstar leads off Saints’ 7-round mock draft

Jan 12, 2026 | 3:08 PM
Caleb Downs

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

By Ross Jackson

The New Orleans Saints are set to pick No. 8 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, and general manager Mickey Loomis has already made note that he and the team will prioritize impact over position when on the clock.

In this draft simulation, elite defenders like Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey were already off the board along with offensive playmakers such as Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. With that, the board led to an obvious choice for an impact player on defense.

Round 1, Pick 8: Ohio State S Caleb Downs

While there will be a lot of talk about wide receivers in the first round this offseason, New Orleans can choose to wait on the position in lieu of grabbing a defensive playmaker that could take coordinator Brandon Staley’s group to another level.

Downs is an all-around playmaker that could have the same trajectory in the league as Staley’s former safety Derwin James Jr. He can play in the box or deep as a safety and has the versatility to cover as a slot defender as well. His roles could change over the course of his first few seasons as the secondary settles in and evolves. With veteran Justin Reid solidly in position for next year alongside safety Jonas Sanker, Downs’ first impact could be had in the slot should cornerback Alontae Taylor sign elsewhere as a free agent.

The Ohio State safety would quickly install himself as a leader for the club on defense and carry a game-breaking presence with six career interceptions and 16 tackles for a loss with the Buckeyes.

Round 2, Pick 42: Oregon OL Emmanuel Pregnon

Adding an elite interior offensive lineman would be a huge win for New Orleans in Day Two of the draft. Pregnon, who will be a Senior Bowl attendee later this month, is fast, physical and versatile. He’s allowed just one sack in the last three seasons, per Pro Football Focus, and is a wrecking ball in the run game.

He should be able to come in and immediately take over the left guard role, a position he’s manned for at least 773 snaps per season during his collegiate starting career.

Round 3, Pick 73: Georgia WR Zachariah Branch

There are few more dynamic weapons in this year’s NFL Draft than Branch, who is exactly the reason passing on wide receivers in the first round was possible. A true yards-after-catch threat, New Orleans is in need of a player like that in their offense.

During his rookie year, quarterback Tyler Shough showed off some elite traits downfield and in the intermediate area. Adding a short-area threat that can turn a five-yard slant into a breakaway gain could make the Saints’ passing game something special in 2026. 

At 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, Branch isn’t someone that’s going to threaten defenses with his size. But his speed and shifty ability is more than enough to invest in at this point in the draft. He’ll be a quick riser up boards once the NFL Scouting Combine takes place in late-February.

He was also a strong punt returner with the USC Trojans and has a lot of deep threat potential waiting to be unlocked at the next level thanks to his elite speed.

Round 4, Pick 132: Alabama DT Tim Keenan III

The Saints can look to continue to build their interior defensive lineman with this 6-foot-2, 320-pounder. He’d be a rotational player with a lot of A-gap experience to help the Saints’ already-improved run defense continue to trend in the right direction. With 12.5 tackles for a loss and experience with Nick Saban before his Alabama departure, there’s a lot to like about Keenan and how he could help bolster the New Orleans interior.

Round 4, Pick 137: Penn State RB Kaytron Allen

I mocked Allen to the Saints early last year before he and his running-mate Nicolas Singleton decided to go back to Penn State. This time though, he’ll be entering the NFL Draft and would be a huge get for New Orleans.

Allen continues to sneak up boards, so landing him here would be a lucky situation for New Orleans. He’s speedy, elusive and can run both man and zone schemes with ease. He’s not easy to take down but also has the agility to catch the edge on an outside run. 

Allen is also familiar with running as a part of a tandem or committee, which could set him up well for how the Saints may look to attack things in the run game next year.

Round 5, Pick 148: Western Michigan EDGE Nadame Tucker

With 14.5 sacks in 2025, Tucker is tied with surefire first-round pick Bailey for the most sacks in the nation. Instead of spending a top-10 selection at edge rusher, investing in the fifth round yields remarkable production from the edge.

At 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, he’d be a perfect fit in Staley’s defense as a stand-up, outside of the tackle rusher.

Round 5, Pick 170: Washington CB Tacario Davis

The Saints could add further talent to their second late in the draft with a player with a unique profile in Davis. Listed at 6-foot-4, and 200 pounds, the reliable tackler is an all-around prospect that does a lot of things well. His length and movement ability at his size would be hard to dismiss for special teams purposes, but he’ll have a chance to contribute to NFL defenses if he continues to develop well.

Round 6, Pick 189: Houston TE Tanner Koziol

Another tight end with good pass-catching and blocking ability could be a major addition for New Orleans opposite Juwan Johnson. There’s no clear indication for the future of tight ends Taysom Hill, Foster Moreau and Jack Stoll in New Orleans at this time. Should any one of them depart, pursuing more developmental and promising talent at the position makes sense.

The Houston pass-catcher reeled in 74 catches for 727 receiving yards and six touchdown catches in 2025. His 74.1% contested catch rate is eye-popping and his 20 registered contested catches led the country at his position.

The Saints leave their tackles out on an island quite a bit in head coach Kellen Moore’s offense, leaving tight ends available to go make plays as receivers. Koziol’s name may not jump to the top of people’s lists, but his 6-foot-7, 250-pound frame will make him a weapon at the next level.

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