Saints’ trade down aversion could change this year

By Ross Jackson

There are a few things that have become well-known themes in New Orleans Saints draft classes. The team loves to invest early in the trenches, has well-defined prototypes at positions and just can’t seem to pass up a defensive back in Day Two. But one of the most popular Saints’ draft day quirks, refusing to trade down, could change in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

It’s been nearly 20 years since the Saints have traded down during the draft. The last time the team did so was in 2007. 

During that selection process, New Orleans traded a second-round pick (No. 58 overall) for third-round (No. 66) and fifth-round (No. 145) selections. New Orleans also included a later fifth-round selection (No. 163) in the move. 

The trade yielded the team Kent State cornerback Usama Young as well as Wingate corner David Jones. 

Since then, the team has avoided moving back in the draft. However, after general manager Mickey Loomis praised the draft class’s depth and shared a goal to handle needs in free agency, this year could be the year such a move is finally made again. 

20 years ago, in 2006, Loomis and the Saints moved back on two different occasions. 

Of course, nothing is guaranteed and trends are trends for a reason. But if the Saints manage free agency well, trading back in this class to add more assets for either 2026 or 2027 might be a desirable path. 

One thing seems certain: if the team does move back, it likely won’t be with its first-round pick. The pair of trade backs in 2006 took place in the second and fourth rounds while the 2007 move was, as aforementioned, in the second. 

If Loomis and the Saints see this year as an opportunity to move back, add assets and feel comfortable with the depth that doing so would still allow them to select an impact player, it could be a major shift in draft strategy, breaking a nearly 20-year run of standing pat or only moving up.