Right now, the New Orleans Saints are projected first overall in the 2026 NFL draft. That can change. It very likely will change. But if the draft started today, the first player off the board would be wearing black and gold. So who should the Saints be scouting? Which prospects are being linked to them in way-too-early mock drafts? In other words, which college games (besides your own) should you be tuning into on Saturdays?
To find out, we surveyed the latest round of mock drafts from around the NFL media landscape. And those projections tilt, overwhelmingly, to quarterbacks. That isn’t too surprising. Spencer Rattler hasn’t gotten the job done, and the Saints haven’t seen enough at practice to justify starting Tyler Shough instead. Even if it’s looking like a lackluster quarterback class, that hasn’t stopped experts from picking their favorites.
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And, hey — if none of these quarterbacks are your jam, you can catch the only defender on the list in a game this weekend. Everyone else mentioned is on a bye week. Let’s hear the arguments for each of them:
QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) passes the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes Sept. 27, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Mendoza has brought much more than just a lot of NFL tools to the Hoosiers. He’s got gravitas and infectious positive leadership to elevate those around him. Winning at Indiana (!!) should mean something for a team like the Saints who are desperate for a winner as much as a capable arm at QB. — Jeff Risdon, Draft Wire
See him soon: 2:30 p.m. CT/3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 11 at Oregon Ducks (CBS/Paramount+)
QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) walks across the field during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. Ole Miss defeated LSU 24-19.
Yes, the Saints draft a third quarterback in as many years at the top of this draft. There’s plenty of time in the season for 2025 pick Tyler Shough to come in and prove us wrong but we opt for another QB.
Nussmeier extends plays in the pocket with an NFL-caliber arm. He’s already showing improvement during the 2025 season as he fully recovers from a torso injury sustained during the offseason. Plus, his father Doug is the Saints’ offensive coordinator. — Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY
See him soon: 6:00-6:45 p.m. CT/7:00-7:45 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 11 vs. South Carolina Gamecocks (ESPN/ABC/SEC Network)
QB Dante Moore, Oregon
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore throws a pass as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
Dante Moore’s stock is rising faster than nearly any other prospect’s right now and could certainly be the obvious QB1 by season’s end. There’s a chance he waits until 2027 to declare, but with his blend of size, arm talent, and processing, I think there’s a great shot he decides to enter his name with the 2026 class. New Orleans will most likely have their eye on the QB group, and he’s stood out consistently this season. — Adam Holt, A to Z Sports
See him soon: 2:30 p.m. CT/3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 11 vs. Indiana Hoosiers (CBS/Paramount+)
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EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Sep 13, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) tackles South Florida Bulls wide receiver Christian Neptune (81) in the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Bain started his college career strongly as freshman before an early calf injury led to an up-and-down sophomore campaign. He started at No. 17 of my preseason big board, and has done nothing but launch up my rankings and to the top spot of this mock draft. Bain’s build and power remind me of Brandon Graham. He can align and affect the game across the defensive line, he plays with a great motor, and he has the light feet to win quickly and on defensive line games. He has been one of the best players in the country this season.
Why no quarterback for the Saints? Well, I think Spencer Rattler’s effective play (who currently sits 13th among all quarterbacks in dropback success rate, per TruMedia) in a surprisingly watchable Saints offense under head coach Kellen Moore might lower their desperation for a signal-caller unless they absolutely fall in love with one. At least for now and in this exercise. — Nate Tice, Yahoo! Sports
See him soon: 6:30 p.m. CT/7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 4 at Florida State Seminoles (ABC/ESPN3)
QB LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Sep 27, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) scrambles against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Sellers is still a bit of a projection but he has rare skills that are hard to find and will be hard to pass on. Sellers has a cannon for an arm and has improved his decision-making early in 2025 despite being under duress for much of the season. Sellers has exceptional athletic ability on his large frame and can turn negative situations into explosive plays. He’s a high-level athlete who has progressed as a passer and someone whose best days are ahead. — Blake Brockermeyer, CBS Sports
See him soon: 6:00-6:45 p.m. CT/7:00-7:45 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 11 at LSU Tigers (ESPN/ABC/SEC Network)
EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Oct 5, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) sacks California Golden Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza (right) during the fourth quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The New Orleans Saints aren’t ready to draft a franchise quarterback, so with Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough already on the roster, they’ll pass on this QB class at No. 1 overall. Ideally, they would trade out of this pick, but we’re not doing trades this early in mock draft season. Rueben Bain Jr. is having arguably the best defensive season in college football and is a true game-wrecker that New Orleans can build around on defense. — Jaime Eisner, The Draft Network
See him soon: 6:30 p.m. CT/7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 4 at Florida State Seminoles (ABC/ESPN3)
QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Sep 27, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) warms up at Kinnick Stadium before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
See him soon: 2:30 p.m. CT/3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 11 at Oregon Ducks (CBS/Paramount+)
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 mock drafts: Saints have many options with first overall pick