With the New Orleans Saints’ loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8, the team continues to inch closer to owning the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft. According to the experts at Tankathon, the Saints would currently hold the top selection if the season ended today. Both the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans share identical 1-7 records, but strength-of-schedule and tiebreakers give New Orleans the edge — for better or worse.
The Saints’ strength of schedule sits at .500, slightly lower than the Titans’ .548, giving them the nod in the draft order. The Jets also sit at .500, but with one fewer conference loss than New Orleans, they remain just behind them in the standings.
While it’s still unlikely that the Saints would target a quarterback in this year’s weak draft class, holding the No. 1 pick would certainly open that door. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is out in front. Oregon’s Dante Moore, Alabama’s Ty Simpson, and Oklahoma’s John Matter could all rise up draft boards by April. Another possible route would be to leverage that pick for future draft capital, setting the team up for a complete rebuild and long-term stability.
Alternatively, the Saints could simply select the best player available — a proven approach for a roster in need of impact talent. A disruptive pass rusher such as Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. or a versatile defensive playmaker like Ohio State’s Arvell Reese could fit that mold immediately.
All things considered, the Saints’ path toward the No. 1 selection isn’t far-fetched. With a potential transition to Tyler Shough at quarterback and the possibility of a few trade deadline moves, New Orleans could remain in the mix for a top-three pick when the season concludes.