The end of the NFL regular season is approaching, and for teams out of the race for the postseason like the New Orleans Saints there’s really one thing to look forward to before the 2026 season. Saints fans can look forward to the NFL draft.
There have been several mock drafts this week, but one caught our attention. It had a player from Big Ten country heading to New Orleans to play for the Saints.
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Athlon Sports gave its two-round prediction for the draft in which the Saints second round selection went to wide receiver Chris Bell from Louisville. Famously, its second round pick last season also went to a Louisville player in rising star quarterback Tyler Shough.
That said, the Saints’ first round pick in this draft will probably be more exciting to New Orleans fans. Athlon’s Luke Easterling gave his prediction to send Ohio State safety Caleb Downs to the Saints with the No. 8 pick in the draft. He explained the pick in his article.
“What do you get the team that needs everything? The best player in the entire draft. Downs can certainly make a strong case, as a do-it-all defender who can make splash plays at every level of the field. While others argue about ‘positional value,’ the Saints would be wise to add such a dynamic, versatile weapon to their defense. Downs is the kind of rare talent who can completely transform an entire defense on his own.”
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates during the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. Ohio State won 27-9.
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Saints fans might have recoiled at the suggestion that their team needs everything, only to agree shortly afterward. There are several needs the Saints need to fill, and perhaps even safety is one of the places the team can upgrade.
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Easterling reignited the debate between positional value vs. highest quality player with his pick here, but at some point, early in the draft, we will likely see Downs’ named called. Whether or not he is the draft’s best player is debatable, but Downs is certainly one of the best.
The talented safety is set to take on the Miami Hurricanes and veteran quarterback Carson Beck this weekend in the College Football Playoff. New Orleans fans can get a better look at who they might be considering drafting in the first round in the playoff quarterfinals.
Any way the pick is looked at, New Orleans should be upgrading somewhere with their first pick in the draft. They’ll look to make the right choice in April.