After trading away WR Rashid Shaheed and releasing Brandin Cooks, the New Orleans Saints have made massive changes to the receiver room. This is understandable, given the team’s current position. Although it was previously a minor need going into the offseason, WR is now near the top of the list.

New Orleans’ Current WR Group

With the moves the Saints have made so far, the remaining players are (in order of potential snaps in offense) Chris Olave, Devaugn Vele, Mason Tipton, Kevin Austin Jr., Trey Palmer (IR), Bub Means (IR), and Ja’lynn Polk (IR).

Olave is by far the best WR on the roster, and this season, he has a 77.5 WR impact score per PFSN’s WR Impact Metric. The Saints need to find someone else to pair with their star, but which direction can they take to achieve this?

How the Saints Can Find Their Next WR

Starting with free agency, New Orleans could go in this area, but they really shouldn’t. Olave is about to get a significant contract extension, the current room’s average age is rising, and the overall WR free agent group is not the greatest. This is a recipe for the Saints to avoid this avenue at all costs, leaving the draft.

For the 2026 NFL Draft, the WR class was supposed to be a bit weak. Instead, it has become arguably the draft’s greatest strength, and the Saints have multiple opportunities to grab one.

The first round offers many excellent options, and if New Orleans can trade back, that position is worth watching. However, the second round is the best option, and one name stands out above the rest.

The Perfect WR Prospect for QB Tyler Shough

Out of all the current potential options in the second round, Louisville WR Chris Bell would be an excellent selection by the Saints, and the pick would make sense. This season, Bell has risen on draft boards and continues to make plays for Louisville. He is a significant contested catch threat, has a knack for adjusting to any pass, and can fly after the catch.

Bell could be the perfect complement to Olave in HC Kellen Moore’s offense, but what makes this pick even better is the fact that Saints QB Tyler Shough was Bell’s QB last season at Louisville. The duo already has that built chemistry, and their success together would pick up right away in New Orleans.