Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
For the final full mock draft of the 2026 offseason, I’m doing something a little different. The most exciting element of this year’s New Orleans Saints draft is that there are a number of directions the teams could go.
With that, I’m tripling up picks in the first three rounds as an exercise and demonstration that New Orleans can take multiple paths to success in this year’s selection process. The final prediction will come on Thursday. But for now, let’s explore a couple more scenarios of how draft weekend could play out, and pay off, for the Saints.
Round 1, Pick 8
Scenario 1: Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.
There’s very little doubt that the elite edge rusher would bring a disruptive and reliable force at pass rusher for the team. He also contributes well as a run defender. Yes, his arms length is short enough to make history. No, it does not appear to impact this ability on tape at a concerning enough level. Bain would give the Saints a long-time pass rusher to pair with Chase Young and then eventually carry the mantle.
History says that the team likes to invest early in the trenches. This would continue that trend.
Scenario 2: Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson
Tyson would provide an immediate boost to the Saints’ wide receiver room alongside incumbent wideout Chris Olave. It also limits spending at the position with two top-tier wideouts long enough to get Olave’s contract extension done comfortably should the two sides be able to agree upon a deal ahead of the season. Tyson can line up inside and out, has outstanding body control to make tough catches and would have the desired impact of building out quarterback Tyler Shough in the process. With injury concerns seemingly addressed, the Shough factor may be enough to push the Saints to select him.
Scenario 3: LSU CB Mansoor Delane
Cornerback is arguably the biggest remaining hole the Saints must fill in this year’s NFL Draft. So why wait? While the most important void left open is slot corner, or defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s STAR role, adding Delane would allow the Saints to bolster its perimeter corner talent and move another talent in-house player to the slot. Delane is a shutdown type of cornerback with scheme versatility, making him a strong option for the Saints’ defense.
Round 2, Pick 43
Scenario 1: Louisville WR Chris Bell
Bell is another player that has sufficiently answered questions around his injury as he’s projected to be back in action in time for training camp after an ACL tear later in the 2025 college football season. His impressive yards after catch ability, physical play style and unique 6-foot-2, 222-pound frame adequately files him into a category of receiver that the Saints do not currently have in their room.
Scenario 2: Miami CB Keionte Scott
Behind only Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, Scott is hands-down the second-best fit for Staley’s secondary. He’s a remarkably disruptive and highly productive slot cornerback that understands the responsibilities of the STAR role. He loaded up the stat sheet in 2025 and could do so again as a quick defensive fit for New Orleans.
Scenario 3: Missouri EDGE Zion Young
Young is effective as a pass rusher, but also against the run. He would add a strong contributor opposite Chase Young in both areas of the game even without using a first round pick in the process. At 6-foot-5, 262 pounds, he could rush off the edge as a standup pass rusher or put his hand in the dirt as a 3-4 defensive end and defend the run.
Round 3, Pick 73
Scenario 1: Arizona CB Treydan Stukes
A disruptive and athletic corner who clocked a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at this year’s Scouting Combine. He has the ability to play on the boundary, in the slot and at safety. He’s also an active and reliable tackler. He’s a great fit for Staley’s STAR/slot role.
Scenario 2: Auburn EDGE Keyron Crawford
Despite only starting his football journey during his senior year of high school, Crawford has made outstanding progress while at Auburn. He’s comfortable dropping into space, rushing the passer and defending the run, all of which are hallmarks of the outside linebacker spot in New Orleans. He’s a high-character player with some development ahead of him, but as a rotational third-rounder to start his career, he could bring more impact than initially thought.
Scenario 3: Indiana WR Elijah Sarratt
Many online evaluators have dinged Sarratt’s outlook because he doesn’t create a lot of separation in the passing game. However, entering the NFL, it’s extremely valuable to have the ability to make catches in contested situations and tight windows, making the ability to do more translatable than separation-creation at the collegiate level. The 6-foot-2, 213-pound receiver would be an immediate x-receiver fit for the Saints’ offense.
Day 3 Selections
After handling edge rusher, wide receiver and cornerback in various orders through the first three rounds, here are some options at each of the Saints’ remaining day three picks.
Round 4, Pick 132: Cincinnati DL Dontay Corleone
Round 4, Pick 136: Kentucky OL Jaeger Burton
Round 5, Pick 150: Penn State RB Kaytron Allen
Round 5, Pick 172: Texas A&M TE Nate Boerkircher
Round 6, Pick 190: Michigan LB Jimmy Rolder
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