The New Orleans Saints draft rumor mill is heating up as it has become clear that the team will have a high draft pick.
Some have projected the team to draft a quarterback, but a pick of that nature might seem redundant given how well Tyler Shough has been playing this season.
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Field Yates is buying Shough enough to predict the Saints go in a different direction. He gives New Orleans what could be an ideal selection for their 2026 prospects. He has the team taking Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa ahead of Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey.
“New Orleans has seen promising play from rookie quarterback Tyler Shough and could opt against drafting a top signal-caller, even in the top five. Taking an offensive tackle in the first round for the third straight season might seem odd, but the Saints could move 2024 draftee Taliese Fuaga from right tackle to right guard in this scenario.
Mauigoa has been a three-year starter for Miami, playing all but 13 of his snaps at right tackle over the past three seasons. He has excellent mauling power and size at 6-6, 315 pounds, and he holds up extremely well in pass protection. Mauigoa allowed a pressure on just 0.5% of dropbacks this season, the best of any FBS offensive tackle. The Saints, meanwhile, are 31st in pass block win rate (54.5%).”
Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa (61) catches a touchdown pass in a game against the Syracuse Orange during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium.
Jeff Romance-Imagn Images
Yates has Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza and Oregon signal caller Dante Moore going in the first two picks. Moore might be considered by most a reach, but the mock draft continues the trend of NFL teams over-drafting at the quarterback position.
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Interestingly, Yates has Ohio State star safety Caleb Downs falling to the ninth pick in the draft. While Downs might end up considered the best player in the draft, on draft day, safety does not hold the positional value it might have once held. Certainly, the Saints would be best served letting Downs move past them in the draft order.
Also of note, Yates has three edge rushers, Arvell Reese (Ohio State), David Bailey (Texas Tech) and Reuben Bain Jr. (Miami) going in the first 10 picks. Two offensive linemen, two wide receivers and two quarterbacks round out the mock draft’s first 10, giving somewhat of an idea of where the Saints could go with the pick.
New Orleans will look to get a greater sample on the players over the College Football Playoff.