What do the New Orleans Saints do in the 2026 NFL Draft? A question that plagues both fans and media alike, as both sides continue to try to figure out the best possible avenue. Many believe selecting some form of playmaker would be the best choice, whether that be running back, wide receiver, or otherwise. Others believe it may be beneficial to go to the trenches and add some interior line help on offense or defense.

Ultimately, there is no “right” answer in these scenarios, and at the end of the day, talent supercedes position in these cases. With that said, if there are a few valuable prospects in a similar tier for the Saints, they will likely end up going for someone who fills a need over someone maybe slightly more talented.

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One of the most common picks to be mocked for New Orleans at pick No. 8 is running back Jeremiyah Love. Pro Football Focus writer Dalton Wasserman recently mocked him to the Saints once again, providing some reasonable rationale for the selection:

The Saints ranked 31st in the NFL in rushing grade this season, and Alvin Kamara is entering his age-31 season in the final year of his contract. Jeremiyah Love would give New Orleans an explosive backfield option to help jumpstart Kellen Moore’s run game. Love ranked second in the FBS in rushing grade (93.7) and fourth in explosive runs (39).

In all honesty, if Love is on the board for New Orleans, it is really difficult to find fault with them selecting him. Giving Kellen Moore the option to build around a stout running game, focusing on RPO, between Tyler Shough’s mobility and Love’s explosiveness, there wouldn’t be many NFL defenses that would want to face that.

While wide receiver is certainly still a concern in this world, there are some good options down the board if Love is the pick, to really build up some fun plays. Love has a chance to be the best player coming out of this 2026 class, and if he is there at No. 8, it is hard to pass up the opportunity to just take someone so immensely talented, rather than taking maybe a slightly bigger need at receiver.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Pro Football Focus links Saints to RB Jeremiyah Love