The New Orleans Saints (4-10) are rolling, and perhaps at the most inopportune time. Now out of the playoff picture, New Orleans is winning its way out of a high draft pick.

You can’t fault the players for it. If they don’t perform, even after the team is eliminated from playoff contention, those players get replaced through the NFL draft and free agency.

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What is encouraging is the direction the team is headed as we approach 2026. But for now, the team’s draft position took a hit. The Saints have quickly fallen from the No. 3 to the No. 7 pick in projected NFL draft orders.

CBS Sports’ Mike Renner gave his prediction for who the team would draft if it made the pick today. Renner has the Saints selecting Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey, who ranks as CBS’ No. 26 overall player and No. 5 edge rusher. Renner ranks him higher perhaps than others.

Here’s what report was given for the six-foot-three, 250 edge rusher in Lubbock, Texas.

“Bailey is a twitched-up athlete who can hunt quarterbacks. His 13.5 sacks led all Power Four defenders this fall. The Saints defense has turned a leaf from the Dennis Allen era and could use more speed off the edge instead of power.”

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Whether or not Bailey is the right pick is still to be seen, but his defense has been impressive so far this season. Bailey and company have helped lead Texas Tech to its first ever College Football Playoff berth and the No. 4 overall seed in the tournament. The Red Raiders will take on the winner of James Madison and Oregon in the playoff.

How Bailey performs in the quarterfinals, likely against Oregon, could give plenty of data on whether or not the pass rusher has what it takes to lead a pass rush in the NFL.

Interestingly the mock draft has the Saints passing on Ohio State pass rusher Arvell Reese who draws the following report on CBS Sports.

“Reese is what a modern hybrid linebacker looks like. He can rush the passer, drop deep into coverage, or run sideline to sideline in the run game at a high level. His juice is exactly what the Commanders are missing in their front seven.”

It appears many drafts favor the Saints going after an edge rusher. Where the Saints go with the pick could determine the direction of the franchise.