One of the biggest things to look forward to for New Orleans Saints fans is the 2026 NFL Draft, given how poorly the team has performed so far in 2025. While there is still plenty of season left, it is also worth looking ahead to the offseason to really get a grasp on some of the prospects who could end up being in the class. With many issues on the roster, including aging talent and just a lack thereof, New Orleans has a lot of work to do to build their way back into contention.

With the team on a bye week this Sunday, let’s generate a mock draft based on their current picks. The generator used for this mock was via The Draft Network, for those interested in how the board fell.

Round 1, Pick 2: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State

The No. 2 overall pick gets really intriguing now, given how well Tyler Shough performed in Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers. While he is certainly not yet a sure thing, it is worth exploring other options at the pick just to add as much talent as possible. With Rueben Bain Jr. going at the first pick, in a bit of a pivot, the Saints select one of the most talented players in the class, Arvell Reese.

Reese is a bit of a tough projection in terms of his position, as he is an exceptional linebacker prospect, but has displayed enough to also be in consideration as an edge rusher. In a 3-4 system like the one New Orleans is running, he would be the type of player that you can just throw out there and let him get to work. With the linebacker core aging and a lack of edge pressure, Reese would be an extremely fun pairing with Chase Young and Carl Granderson. A high volatility prospect, Reese has incredible instincts and all the physicality you want out of a top defensive prospect.

Round 2, Pick 2: WR Chris Bell, Louisville

Following up one extremely fun pick with another, New Orleans looks to reunite Tyler Shough with his 2024 wide receiver at Louisville, Chris Bell. Wide receiver is a huge need for the Saints now with Rashid Shaheed gone, and Bell brings a ton to the table beyond just his collegiate connection to Shough. His production is outstanding for one, producing 792 yards and six touchdowns through nine games so far this year, or 88 yards a game. He has a good frame at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, and he makes some really impressive plays utilizing his contact balance.

He is the type of receiver that would pair exceptionally well with Chris Olave, and given how desperate the Saints are in need of another quality offensive weapon, this feels like a necessity more than anything.

Round 3, Pick 2: IOL Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon

Following two high-flash weapons, let’s get into the trenches and get someone up front who can generate some running lanes. With tackle all set for the foreseeable future, and center likely so if Erik McCoy can remain healthy, the biggest remaining issue continues to be guard. Cesar Ruiz is not good enough to be a starter long-term, and Dillon Radunz is mostly just a one-year story.

In comes Emmanuel Pregnon from Oregon, a consistent winner at the point of attack who has the size to maul up front at 6-foot-5, 318 pounds. 2024 was his breakout season at USC, where in 13 games, he did not allow a single sack in a whopping 882 snaps. His run blocking is not perfect, but his pass protection is absolutely killer, which would be fun to pair alongside Taliese Fuaga and Kelvin Banks Jr. to get the offense moving.

Round 4, Pick 29: TE Michael Trigg, Baylor

As much as the Saints need trenches and defensive positions, it is hard to pass up on an offensive weapon that becomes an immediate upgrade over the current tight end group. Michael Trigg has been an extremely productive tight end in 2025, specifically, as he has really found his footing in year five. This year, he has 40 receptions for 607 yards and 6 touchdowns, good for 15.2 yards per reception.

While not exactly the prototypical tight end frame at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, he makes up for it with some of the best route running from a tight end in college. His ability to separate is unparalleled, both in the stem of the route and at the catch point. His hands are extremely impressive as well, which he displays often by making catches many would not expect to be anywhere near reachable. An extremely fun weapon to add to the offense alongside Olave and Bell.

Round 4, Pick 37: CB Julian Neal, Arkansas

Time to focus on some defensive needs, starting off with cornerback Julian Neal. One of the biggest issues for the Saints this season has been their inability to stop quick-hitting passes that end up developing into long plays after the catch. Neal is an outstanding solution to that, as he has incredible short-burst speed and is able to follow receivers at an extremely high level. His ability to position himself in the optimal spot to make a play on the ball is something that should help him transition to the NFL level well, and his traits make him even more fun to consider in the Saints’ defense.

Round 5, Pick 2: DE Boubacar Traore, Notre Dame

Looking into the defense a bit more, Boubacar Traore is a very interesting pickup if New Orleans were to look his direction. While quite a bit undersized weight-wise at somewhere around 250 pounds, his 6-foot-4 height shows there is more to be built into. Another potential edge candidate, Traore, is highly explosive, athletic, and he has developed quite a few pass rush moves for his age. This is the type of candidate the Saints should try to develop on Day 3 of the draft, especially if they can tap into his highly potent potential as a speed rusher.

Round 5, Pick 29: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

When moving into the Day 3 picks, another crucial element is finding players with immense versatility. One of the best examples of this is safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren from Toledo. McNeil-Warren is a fun support safety who has some really impressive power, which makes him a menace against the run and filling gaps along the offensive line. He works very well in space as well, however, and his ability to tackle in a one-on-one scenario is one of his best traits. Likely someone who could be utilized in a similar role to P.J. Williams when he was with the Saints.

Round 6, Pick 2: WR Noah Thomas, Georgia

A huge issue for the Saints in their wide receiver core is just a lack of size. Devaughn Vele being an exception, most of their wideouts just are not high-flying contested catch receivers. Noah Thomas would change that for them, at 6-foot-5, 205 pounds, Thomas is a player who can make catches pretty much anywhere on the field, and despite a somewhat lackluster amount of playing time in 2025, he has made the most of it with 19.3 yards per reception, and in 2024 he had eight touchdowns with 574 receiving yards, so it is clear he can handle a bigger workload.