March 16, 2026, 1:13 p.m. CT<\/p>\n
How did the opening wave of free agency shake up everyone’s predictions for the 2026 NFL Draft? Few teams made as many big moves as the New Orleans Saints<\/a>, who addressed their top needs by signing running back Travis Etienne Jr. and left guard David Edwards, as well as linebacker Kaden Elliss and tight end Noah Fant — plus punter Ryan Wright. That influx of proven veteran talent drastically changed expectations for how the Saints could move in the upcoming draft. Instead of targeting someone like Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love or Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the eighth overall pick, now the Saints are positioned to take the best player available.<\/p>\n And who could that be? Here’s a look at who the Saints took in twelve recent mock drafts published by different outlets in the wake of free agency. We’ve recapped them at the bottom after picking up on some notable trends.<\/p>\n USA TODAY<\/a>: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU<\/p>\n With a huge need at the position following the departure of Alontae Taylor, the Saints could solve it by bringing in a guy who’s right up the road. Almost certainly the premier corner available this year, the 6-foot, 187-pound All-America has lockdown ability and might even be able to eat up some of Taylor’s snaps in the slot \u2013 though Delane was rarely used there at Virginia Tech and LSU.<\/p>\n CBS Sports<\/a>: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State<\/p>\n New Orleans is the latest team to use premium resources to support a young quarterback. It signed Travis Etienne Jr. and offensive guard David Edwards in free agency and now pairs Chris Olave with Carnell Tate.<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n The Saints could go in several directions here, but grabbing another top target for second-year quarterback\u00a0Tyler Shough<\/a>\u00a0would make a lot of sense. Tate is a big-bodied receiver at 6-foot-2 and 192 pounds who didn\u2019t drop any of his catchable targets in 2025.<\/p>\n New York Post<\/a>: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State<\/p>\n Coach Kellen Moore would love nothing better than to help QB Tyler Shough with a bookend, who simply doesn\u2019t drop passes, for Chris Olave.<\/p>\n Athlon Sports<\/a>: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State<\/p>\n Chris Olave has proved he can be a strong WR1 when healthy, but he\u2019s struggled with injuries over the past two seasons, and the Saints dealt their second-best receiver in Rashid Shaheed at the trade deadline last year. Tate\u2019s complete skill set would immediately give the Saints a massive WR2 upgrade, and he could easily eclipse Olave as Tyler Shough\u2019s top target, especially if Olave\u2019s injuries continue to pile up.<\/p>\n ESPN<\/a>: WR Makai Lemon, USC<\/p>\n After linebacker\u00a0Demario Davis<\/a>\u00a0reunited<\/a>\u00a0with the Jets, the Saints brought back their 2019 seventh-round pick\u00a0Kaden Elliss<\/a>. But wide receiver is a position they haven’t prominently addressed yet, as they need help alongside\u00a0Chris Olave<\/a>. Lemon would thrive in that role. The exceptional run-after-catch wideout had a dominant 2025 season, averaging the third-most receiving yards per game in the FBS (96.3). Lemon showed off his toughness, impressive catch radius and playmaking skills in the middle of the field.<\/p>\n Bears Wire<\/a>: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU<\/p>\n The New Orleans Saints are not the worst team in the league, despite many expecting that in 2025. Well, adding a potential star corner in Mansoor Delane out of LSU would go a long way in their continued improvement.<\/p>\n NFL Draft on SI<\/a>: EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech<\/p>\n The New Orleans Saints have not re-signed Cameron Jordan. Meanwhile, they spent premium resources on offense by signing running back Travis Etienne Jr. and guard David Edwards. It’s trending towards them using this pick on defense. David Bailey ran a 4.50 in the 40-yard dash, the fastest recorded time of any pure pass rusher. Bailey also leaped a 35 inch vertical and 10-foot-9 broad. The speedy EDGE wins with athleticism and straightline explosion.<\/p>\n theScore<\/a>: WR Makai Lemon, USC<\/p>\n Improving Tyler Shough’s supporting cast was the early theme of New Orleans’ free-agent deals. David Edwards stepping in at left guard completes a quietly stout offensive line, and Travis Etienne Jr. gives the Saints a new feature back. Next up: another weapon at receiver. Kellen Moore’s offense could be set for years to come with Lemon lining up opposite Chris Olave.<\/p>\n