Will New Orleans Finally Draft an LSU Tiger in 2026?

The New Orleans Saints have done something a little odd during the last few decades of the NFL Draft…they have intentionally avoided taking players from LSU in the First Round. Even when the position need they have is met with a player from LSU, they will skip that need and go for another. Or just trade the pick too.

But on the surface, you can see why. Many LSU players are from Louisiana, and grew up in the shadow of the Black and Gold. Going from a Louisiana high school to LSU is very common, so there’s not really added pressure to that. But going for the biggest college football program in the state to being the First Round pick of the state’s only NFL team would come with undue pressure.

Actually, taking it a step further, the Saints don’t draft LSU players at all…

Last LSU Tiger Drafted By The New Orleans Saints

Going into the 2026 NFL Draft, it’s been 8 years since the Saints have taken a player from LSU in ANY ROUND of the draft. The last time it happened was all the way back in 2018, pre-pandemic era.

The last time the Saints took an LSU Tiger was Center Will Clapp, taken in the 7th Round of the 2018 NFL Draft, with the 245th overall pick. That was their last selection in the draft that year. No LSU players have been called by the Saints, at all, since.

Taysom Hill #7 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates alongside Michael Burton #32 and Will Clapp #64 (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

That means the Saints have made over 40 draft selections since the last time they took a Tiger.

When Could The Saints Have Taken LSU Tigers In The Draft

This isn’t a conspiracy theory either. There have been very specific moments where the Saints most obvious needs have matched up with LSU players available on the draft board during their pick.

One of the glaring examples since the 2018 draft comes in 2020, when the New Orleans Saints had two positions they needed immediate help with: linebacker and wide receiver. There happened to be two big names from the National Championship squad that fit those needs.

Wide receiver Justin Jefferson #2 of the LSU Tigers celebrates a touchdown (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Justin Jefferson was a dream pick for a lot of fans. Putting a wide receiver of his caliber onto a Sean Payton led team with Drew Brees at quarterback would have been unfair. With the Saints picking at 24th overall, they had to cross their fingers Jefferson would drop…which he didn’t. He was taken at 22nd overall by the Minnesota Vikings.

But that meant the Saints could easily shift to fill their massive hole at linebacker with Tiger’s star Patrick Queen. This seems like a slam dunk to anyone paying attention. But the Saints shocked everyone, and went with Michigan center Cesar Ruiz. Ignoring their most needed positions, to avoid an LSU player.

Patrick Queen #8 of the LSU Tigers reacts after a play (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

One time can happen to anyone…but what if there was another big example just a couple years later?

Going into the 2024 NFL Draft, the Saints had a major need to add for a wide receiver. Someone who had the ability to stretch the field. LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr was coming off a monster season in Baton Rouge, leading the nation in touchdowns. All of this lined up too perfect.

Brian Thomas Jr. #11 of the LSU Tigers makes a catch (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

The Saints held the 14th overall pick that year, and when they went on the clock, Thomas Jr was sitting there available. But once again, the Saints shocked the football world and took Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga at #14, letting Thomas Jr slide by. He was eventually taken by the Jacksonville Jaguars at #23, who lit up the league his rookie year with over 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Could The Saints Take An LSU Tiger In 2026?

Going into this year’s draft, the Saints have a pile of needs once again. Even though there was hype building through the end of last season, the Saints still ended with a losing record. They’re a team with young talent, but numerous holes on their roster still.

The three biggest needs going into the First Round this year are edge rusher, wide receiver, and defensive back. All three of those are pretty important needs for the team, so ranking them against each other will probably come down to who the best available player at those positions is when the Saints are on the clock.

Mansoor Delane #4 of the Louisiana State Tigers celebrates a pass defense (Photo by Michael DeMocker/Getty Images)

If its defensive back the Saints want to fill in the first round, LSU’s Mansoor Delane could easily be the pick.

Delane’s pro day at LSU shot his draft stock up even further when he laid down a sizzling 4.35-second 40-yard dash. That would have been one of the fastest times for a defensive back at the NFL Combine, and would have been tied for the fastest time among the DBs projected for the first round.

The Saints could make this happen in the First Round…but lets be honest, they won’t.

There will be more rounds, and more picks, that the Saints could take a Tiger with. Linebacker Harold Perkins, wide receiver Zavion Thomas, and edge rusher Patrick Payton could all be taken by New Orleans in later rounds. But with the trend being the way it is, we’re not counting on it.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the New Orleans Saints during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the New Orleans Saints during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)NFL Draft 2026 Schedule and Details

The 2026 NFL Draft is starting on April 23, 2026. The opening round will take place on Thursday night. After teams finish their first-round picks to improve the team, they will look ahead to rounds 2 and 3 on Friday.

Pittsburgh will serve as the host city for the three-day event in April. Fans expect movement from teams like the Saints throughout the weekend…the system starts on Thursday and ends on Saturday evening as the program finishes for the year.

Every New Orleans Saints First Round NFL Draft Pick Since 2010

Will New Orleans Finally Draft an LSU Tiger in 2026?

Tags: