As New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis was spotted chatting with cornerback Mansoor Delane at LSU’s pro day earlier this week, Kellen Moore was more than 900 miles away to observe a different pro day.

The Saints coach was at the University of Miami to watch defensive end Rueben Bain and the handful of the school’s prospects. With draft season officially in full swing, the Saints divide their resources to ensure all their bases are covered when important pro days overlap.

After all, Delane and Bain — both projected top 10 picks — could very well be in the mix for New Orleans when it is on the clock at No. 8 come April.

But who will the Saints end up picking? Since the draft is now less than a month away, let’s take a guess — with the Times-Picayune’s first mock draft of the year.

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, Indiana QB

Quick take: This has been set in stone for some time, and it’ll be exciting to see what former Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak can do with Mendoza.

2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, Ohio State LB

Quick take: Aaron Glenn is taking control of the Jets’ defense ahead of a pivotal Year 2. Adding Reese gives him a versatile weapon with star potential.

3. Arizona Cardinals: Spencer Mauigoa, Miami T

Quick take: Maybe Moore was at Miami’s Pro Day to watch Mauigoa — the top tackle in this year’s class. Alas, he’s off the board to an Arizona team that has needs just about everywhere.

4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame RB

Quick take: Did the Saints aggressively pursue Travis Etienne in free agency because they knew Love would be gone before they could select him? Not necessarily. But Love to the Titans has been a popular projection after Tennessee spent a lot in free agency to build up Robert Saleh’s defense.

5. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, Ohio State S

Quick take: Another potential Saints target, Downs gets taken within the top 5 to usher in the John Harbaugh era in New York.

6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, Ohio State WR

Quick take: The Browns are remaking their offensive line, but they won’t complain about landing a top-tier receiver. Tate would make a lot of sense for the Saints, but he goes a few picks ahead of them in this edition.

7. Washington Commanders: David Bailey, Texas Tech DE

Quick take: The Commanders opt for the best player available, even though they added a few pass rushers in free agency. Washington’s defense needs serious work, and Bailey — a crafty, technical edge rusher — would give it a boost.

8. New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain, Miami DE

Quick take: Bain doesn’t fit the pass-rushing prototype the Saints have historically drafted. He’s smaller. His arm length is a concern. But Saints assistant general manager Jeff Ireland said in February that New Orleans’ prototype has changed since switching to defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s scheme. “Size isn’t a premium as much as the athleticism is,” Ireland said.

Bain has that athleticism in spades. He’s bendy but explosive. The 21-year-old, who is 6-foot-2 and 263 pounds, would fill a major need for the Saints. Despite Chase Young and Cam Jordan each reaching 10 sacks, New Orleans’ pass rush win rate of 35% ranked only 22nd, according to ESPN. The Saints need to generate pressure on the quarterback more consistently next season. Bain would help them do that.

Though Delane is on the board, and corner is still a huge need with Alontae Taylor gone, the Saints have shown time and time again that they prefer investing in the trenches. Bain could be long gone before then — the Cardinals, Titans and Commanders could be realistic options to take him — but if he’s there, the Saints should be thrilled. 

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, LSU CB

Quick take: The Chiefs traded All-Pro corner Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams this offseason and now find his replacement.

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Sonny Styles, Ohio State LB

Quick take: Styles fell in this mock draft, but the Bengals likely would be thrilled in this scenario. Styles is seen as the best off-ball linebacker in this draft and has drawn comparisons to All-Pro Fred Warner.

11. Miami Dolphins: Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State WR

Quick take: The Dolphins have been in full teardown mode under a new regime. After trading Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos and cutting Tyreek Hill, they select an electric receiver for new quarterback Malik Willis to target.

12. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, Tennessee CB

Quick take: McCoy is coming off a torn ACL but has enough talent to bolster Dallas’ secondary.

13. Los Angeles Rams: Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon TE

Quick take: The Rams reportedly were high on Brock Bowers in 2024 before the Raiders picked him 13th overall. Two years later, Sadiq might be the best tight prospect since then.

14. Baltimore Ravens: Spencer Fano, Utah T

Quick take: Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti criticized the team’s offensive line development under Harbaugh. Fano, who could play either tackle or guard, gives new Baltimore coach Jesse Minter a shot to see if he can satisfy Bisciotti’s desire for improvement.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor, Miami DE

Quick take: Tampa Bay’s collapse in 2025 coincided with the decline of its defense. Enter Mesidor, the impressive Hurricane pass rusher opposite of Bain.

16. New York Jets: Makai Lemon, USC WR

Quick take: The Saints reportedly hosted Lemon for an individual workout Tuesday, but here he slides to the Jets to give New York a crafty slot option.

17. Detroit Lions: Monroe Freeling, Georgia T

Quick take: The Lions are revamping their offensive line, and after releasing Taylor Decker this offseason, Freeling gives Detroit a new starter at left tackle — or right if All-Pro Penei Sewell swaps sides.

18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, Oregon S

Quick take: This is a very popular selection among mock drafters, and it’s easy to see why with Harrison Smith’s future up in the air.

19. Carolina Panthers: Avieon Terell, Clemson CB

Quick take: The brother of Falcons corner A.J. Terrell, Avieon Terell lands in the same division — albeit earlier than expected. But Terrell would fill a need across from Jaycee Horn.

20. Dallas Cowboys: C.J. Allen, Georgia LB

Quick take: The Cowboys double down on defense after acquiring this selection from the Green Bay Packers in September during the Micah Parsons trade.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ty Simpson, Alabama QB

Quick take: The Steelers are waiting on Aaron Rodgers to make a decision on playing in 2026. Regardless, they should line up his eventual successor.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State G

Quick take: The Chargers’ offensive line was a mess in 2025, but they attempt to find a solution by drafting Ioane — who could replace either Zion Johnson (signed with Cleveland) at left guard or Mekhi Becton (cut) at right.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kadyn Proctor, Alabama T

Quick take: General manager Howie Roseman loves his linemen. Lane Johnson is getting older and has injury concerns. Do the math.

24. Cleveland Browns: Caleb Lomu, Utah T

Quick take: The Browns get their tackle after putting it off at No. 6.

25. Chicago Bears: Keldric Faulk, Auburn DE

Quick take: Faulk, at 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds, fits the prototype of the big, athletic defensive end that former Saints coach Dennis Allen prefers. Coach Ben Johnson does his defensive coordinator a solid.

26. Buffalo Bills: T.J. Parker, Clemson DE

Quick take: Another pass rusher comes off the board, and the Bills land an athletic threat.

27. San Francisco 49ers: Cashius Howell, Texas A&M defensive end

Quick take: Like Bain, Howell has arm length concerns. But he was a productive college player who led the SEC in sacks and would help the 49ers given Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams are coming off serious injuries.

28. Houston Texans: Peter Woods, Clemson DT

Quick take: The Texans’ defense is so good that it can afford a bit of a luxury pick. Woods is a polarizing prospect, but perhaps he can thrive under coach Demeco Ryans.

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Omar Cooper, Indiana WR

Quick take: After getting this pick from the Rams, the Chiefs add a weapon for Patrick Mahomes.

30. Miami Dolphins: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo S

Quick take: The Dolphins traded Micah Fitzpatrick to the New York Jets, so they pick his replacement at No. 30.

31. New England Patriots: Denzel Boston, Washington WR

Quick take: Despite signing Romeo Doubs, the Patriots are in the hunt for a new No. 1 wideout after cutting Stefon Diggs. Trading for A.J. Brown is no sure thing, so they take Boston in the meantime. Don’t discount the Boston pun potential.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Colton Hood, Tennessee CB

Quick take: Hood is a physical corner who would fit nicely with coach Mike Macdonald. The Seahawks could use another cornerback, too, after losing Riq Woolen in free agency.