NFL Draft could play role in potential Cam Jordan, Saints reunion

By Ross Jackson

As the offseason continues to pass by, one of the biggest lingering questions around the New Orleans Saints is whether or not the team will retain star defensive end and recent face of their franchise Cameron Jordan.

The franchise’s all-time sack leader saw his contract with the team void as the new league began and since then, while conversations appear to be ongoing, has remained on the open market since. 

While he told former Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead that he has three offers he is considering, the pass rusher doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to pull the trigger on any of his opportunities just yet. One reason stands out as the most impactful as to why that’s the case: the NFL Draft.

Jordan spoke to Armstead about value and what defined it for him as he comes off of a 10.5 sack season. 

“Value is in the eyes of the beholder at this point,” he said. “And at this point value means (to Jordan) position, rotation. Monetary, sure, but more along the lines of if I want to get 10, 12, 13 sacks this next season then I need to be in the best position to do so. And it could be the Saints.”

With that criteria being as important as it appears to be for Jordan, waiting until the 2026 NFL Draft concludes may be the advantageous way he can go about ensuring his best possible landing spot.

Should he sign with a team, Saints or otherwise, now and then that team responds by also investing highly or multiple times in another edge rusher during the NFL Draft, the opportunity Jordan thought he was signing up for could quickly become depleted or repurposed.

Apropos of that, waiting for the draft to wrap up and then assessing his potential landing spots at that point may be the more effective way for him to solidify a role and maximize his playing time in 2026.

New Orleans currently holds the No. 8 overall pick in April’s draft. Three premiere pressure players are expected to be available in that early range. Ohio State linebacker Arvell “Vell” Reese is the least likely of the trio to be left on the board, but is also the player Jordan could most comfortably co-exist beside thanks to Reese’s off-ball abilities. 

Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. is most often referred to as the “Cam Jordan type” being that he’s very effective as a pass rusher, but extremely talented against the run as well. 

Finally, Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey. More of a pure pass-rusher, collaborating with Jordan may reduce the veteran’s opportunities to be on the field in obvious pass rushing situations, as that would be Bailey’s bread and butter.