The NFL Draft is just a few weeks away now, and as we count down the days, we at EssentiallySports have been creating one 7-round mock draft a day until we cover all 32 NFL teams. We’ve already hit on the top-seven teams in the draft, so now it’s time to create one for the New Orleans Saints, who hold the No. 8 pick in the draft.
After a really strong end to the season and a solid free agency haul, the Saints feel they should be in the mix for the NFC South crown in 2026. Here’s how they can fill their needs and make themselves true playoff contenders in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Round 1, Pick 8: DE Rueben Bain Jr.
NCAA, College League, USA Football: Miami at Southern Methodist Nov 1, 2025 Dallas, Texas, USA SMU Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. 4 warms up before the game against the SMU Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Dallas Gerald J. Ford Stadium Texas USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJeromexMironx 20251101_jpm_an4_4345
Rueben Bain may have incredibly short arms for a pass rusher, but he’s also an extremely talented player. If he measured in with 33-inch arms, he’d probably be a top-three pick, but he didn’t, so he’s going to slide a bit, and that could play right into the Saints’ hands.
Chase Young has broken out in New Orleans and is coming off a 10-sack season despite playing in just 12 games, but the Saints don’t have a great pass-rushing option opposite him. Bringing in someone like Bain gives the defense two very good pass rushers they have to worry about, and they can only double one of them.
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Mansoor Delane was definitely in consideration here, but as a Saints fan, I know Mickey Loomis’ history. He loves building the trenches with his first round picks, so grabbing a sliding Bain at No. 8 makes sense.
Round 2, Pick 42: WR Chris Bell
Tyler Shough has proven he is the real deal, but as he prepares for his sophomore season, the Saints need to surround him with some better weapons. Chris Olave is great and is going to get a long-term extension soon, but outside of him, the Saints’ receiver options are pretty limited.
Chris Bell would’ve been in consideration for a first-round pick had he not torn his ACL late in the season. Regardless, he’s projected to be a top-50 pick, and he played with Shough at Louisville in 2025. Shough has raved about Bell to the Saints’ front office, so if Bell is on the board when the Saints pick at No. 42, I’d be shocked if he wasn’t the selection.
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Round 3, Pick 73: RB Mike Washington Jr.
November 1, 2025, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA: Arkansas Razorbacks running back MIKE WASHINGTON JR. 4 rushes for a touchdown during Mississippi States win over Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Fayetteville USA – ZUMAs199 20251101_znp_s199_060 Copyright: xBrentxSoulex
I know the Saints signed Travis Etienne to a pretty big deal in free agency, and they still have Alvin Kamara, but in today’s NFL, you need two strong running backs, and the Saints have been heavily linked to Mike Washington Jr. in the pre-draft process, per a report by EssentiallySports’ Tony Pauline.
Last year, the Saints had one of the worst rushing offenses in the league, but they’ve invested heavily at running back and guard to ensure that does not continue in 2026. Even though they signed a guard and a running back, I don’t expect them to be done adding players at either of those positions, so watch for Washington at No. 73 if he’s still on the board.
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Round 4, Pick 132: OG Fa’alili Fa’amoe
As I mentioned earlier, the Saints need help at guard. They signed David Edwards to a pretty big deal to fill their hole at left guard, but right guard remains a huge need for New Orleans. Fa’alili Fa’amoe played tackle in college, but many expect him to shift inside once he gets to the league.
Fa’amoe is big and nasty at 6-foot-5, 311 pounds, and he was a really solid run and pass blocker in college. He wasn’t anything special in either, but he was steady, and that’s what the Saints need. Their guard play has been far too inconsistent the past few years, so adding a consistent blocker would shore up their biggest hole on the offensive line.
Round 4, Pick 136: CB Devin Moore
October 11, 2025, College Station, Texas, USA: Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher 87 carries the ball against Florida cornerback Devin Moore 28 after a catch during the first half of the college football game between Texas A&M and Florida on October 11, 2025 in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M won, 34-17. College Station USA – ZUMAc201 20251011_zap_c201_060 Copyright: xScottxColemanx
I mentioned that Mansoor Delane was in play at No. 9, and that’s because the Saints really need some help at cornerback. They have some good, young players in Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley, but they need another guy to throw in the mix, and Devin Moore could be that guy at No. 136.
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During his four years at Florida, Moore has given up a career completion percentage of 53 percent, 391 yards, and seven touchdowns with five interceptions and eight pass breakups. He hasn’t played a whole lot of football, with just 1,195 snaps in four years, but that just means there’s not a lot of tread on his tires and he has room to grow as a player.
Adding corner depth is a must in this draft, so whether it’s in the first or fourth round, expect the Saints to target a corner at some point.
Round 5, Pick 150: DT Tim Kennan III
At 6-foot-1, Tim Kennan is a bit undersized at the defensive tackle position, but he makes up for it with his weight at 327 pounds. Kennan battled some injuries early in the year, but returned to the field in October and racked up two sacks, a forced fumble, and earned a 71.1 run defense grade. But if you really want to get a good feel for what he can become, watch his 2024 tape.
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In 2024, Kennan played 220 pass-rushing snaps, but totaled 13 pressures, 10 hurries, and 2.5 sacks from the interior of the defensive line. As a run defender, he played 200 snaps and earned an 88.9 run defense grade with 20 run stops and just two missed tackles. At his best, he can be a solid pass rusher and a really good run defender, which is what the Saints need in their DT room right now.
Round 6, Pick 172: DE Caden Curry
December 7, 2025, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA: Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Caden Curry 92 waves to the crowd prior to the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana. Indianapolis USA – ZUMAs304 20251207_zaf_s304_048 Copyright: xScottxStuartx
Caden Curry was a bit of a late bloomer. He totaled 4.5 sacks in his first three seasons at Ohio State before bursting onto the scene with 11 in 2025. And on top of being a pretty good pass rusher, he was elite in run defense last season with 35 run stops and an 86.5 run defense grade.
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With Bain and Young already on the roster, the Saints are just looking to add some pass rush depth here, and they love their Ohio State guys, so Curry could be a target in round six.
Round 6, Pick 190: TE John Michael Gyllenborg
The Saints already have Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant at tight end to do all their pass catching, but they need a true blocking tight end to round out the group. John Michael Gyllenborg only caught 24 passes for Wyoming last year, but he was a really solid blocker in both the pass and run game. He can step in and give them solid depth at tight end.