With all due respect to the Senior Bowl, last month’s All-Star college exhibition game didn’t have the star power that this year’s NFL scouting combine brings. Many of the event’s top prospects pulled out at the last minute — meaning that when teams descend on Indianapolis this week, they’ll finally have the chance to get an up-close look at the biggest names in the 2026 draft.

That applies to the New Orleans Saints. Here are eight names to keep an eye on when the scouting combine begins Monday — in honor of the Saints holding the eighth overall pick this year.

Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame RB

Arguably, no player has been linked to the Saints more in mock drafts — and for good reason. The electric 20-year-old is a force and would likely provide a much-needed jolt to New Orleans’ offense. Love’s college tape is dazzling. Can he be just as impressive at the combine? It remains to be seen whether he participates in drills or waits until his pro day, but he still will likely meet with teams.

Makai Lemon, USC WR; Carnell Tate, Ohio State WR; Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State WR

Let’s link these three together, because if the Saints don’t take a running back in Round 1 and still want a dynamic weapon, one of Tate, Tyson or Lemon is certainly appealing. But which one would best fit the Saints, if all three were still available when New Orleans is on the clock at No. 8? This is a week to help create that separation, whether that’s through on-field testing or the interview process, when each (presumably) will chat with the Saints.

Each brings a different flavor, too. Lemon thrives in the slot and would seemingly complement Saints coach Kellen Moore’s preference for deploying three-wide receiver sets. Tate, who NFL.com compared to Chris Olave, can work the middle-of-the-field and vertical routes with steady speed and crafty route running. Tyson is the contested-catch, do-it-all type.

Rueben Bain, Miami edge rusher

Everyone knows that Bain is undersized — and it hardly mattered when he wrecked opposing offenses as one of the nation’s best pass rushers. But how small is he? Specifically, Bain’s arm length measurement will be closely watched this week, just as it was for former LSU tackle Will Campbell a year ago. Either way, Bain would be an intriguing option to play across from Saints defensive end Chase Young if he’s still on the board at No. 8.

Caleb Downs, Ohio State S

If Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor leaves in free agency, Downs instantly makes a lot of sense for New Orleans. Though he’s listed at safety, the Ohio State product has the versatility that could help fill Taylor’s departure in the slot. NFL scouts already rave about Downs, and he has the chance to make another strong impression this week.

Ty Simpson, Alabama QB

The Saints aren’t in the market for a quarterback, but they may still be monitoring Simpson’s stock. With Fernando Mendoza the only signal-caller projected to go in the top 10 — likely first overall to the Raiders — the Saints would benefit if Simpson can perform well enough to put himself in that territory, or even in the conversation to be picked in the first round. The earlier Simpson goes, the more likely the Saints won’t have to worry about a team ahead of them picking the player they want. Think back to the 2024 draft, when the run of quarterbacks in Round 1 cleared the way for them to take tackle Taliese Fuaga at No. 14.

Mansoor Delane, LSU CB

Delane would be another name to watch in the event Taylor bolts. Even if he’s not a target for the Saints, Delane is worth keeping an eye on given his local connection to LSU. As of now, the 22-year-old is lined up to be the first cornerback off the board come April. If the Saints did have an interest, he has the vision and awareness to fit into defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s scheme.