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The New Orleans Saints could be targeting this wide receiver at the 2026 NFL Draft, amid the team’s free-agent signings.
The New Orleans Saints hold the eighth-overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That spot has generated plenty of speculation as to what position the team will target with that pick.
However, the Saints’ free-agent signings have pretty much tipped the club’s hand. The signing of running back Travis Etienne Jr. has essentially ruled out the possibility of taking a runner at No. 8.
For a while, it seemed like this would be the position New Orleans would target, with Jeremiyah Love being the main option. But Love’s stellar combine improved his stock. In The Athletic’s latest mock draft, the Notre Dame RB projects to go fourth overall to the Tennessee Titans.
With the Titans failing to sign a back in free agency, it’s easy to see where the Titans could be going in the NFL Draft.
So, that leaves the Saints without their main ground target. With Etienne Jr. in the fold, The Athletic estimates that New Orleans could shift its focus to another area of the offense: Wide receiver.
The Mock NFL Draft has the Saints picking Ohio State wide-out Carnell Tate in the first round. That pick would be a solid one. The club would be landing the top receiver in the draft, potentially solving a major need for starting QB Tyler Shough.
The Athletic praised this pick, making a point of Tate’s overall skill set.
“He averaged 32.5 yards per touchdown catch in 2025 and showed the ability to win at all three levels of the field, which is something quarterback Tyler Shough would love to see in the Saints’ offense.”
The Saints need another receiver, and Tate solves that issue.
How Tate Fits into Saints Receiver Corps
Tate would instantly fit into the Saints’ receiver corps. The team currently has Chris Olave and Samouri Toure as the two main receivers in their depth chart. A strong training camp from Tate could see him slot behind Olave as the No. 2 receiver.
That’s a major boost as Shough will need as many targets as he can get. Hopefully, the Saints’ first-rounder from the 2026 NFL Draft could slide somewhere in between Olave and tight end Juwan Johnson.
Olave registered 1,163 yards last season, with Johnson chipping in 889. That’s not bad, but the Saints will need more to break out of their 6-11 mark from 2025.
Saints Could Target Defensive Prospects in 2026 NFL Draft
The Saints could go in a completely different direction by targeting a defensive prospect with their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Some mock drafts have New Orleans taking Edge Rueben Bain Jr. from Miami. That would be a solid pick should the organization feel that wide receiver isn’t as big a concern.
The Saints added Kaden Elliss at linebacker and John Ridgeway III as a defensive tackle option. While the club didn’t make a major signing on defense, it seems they’ve set themselves up to take an offensive player in the first round.
Nevertheless, adding someone like Bain Jr. in the NFL Draft wouldn’t be a bad choice either. The thought process will likely come down to the Saints figuring out if they can find another receiver in the second round. Also, defenders available in the second round and beyond may offset passing on someone like Bain.
The coming weeks should provide a little more clarity on what the Saints could be looking to do at the NFL Draft.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan
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