Bold claim: The Saints’ 7-round pre-Combine mock draft lays out a bold blueprint that could redefine their 2026 season, building on an excellent 2025 class while positioning the club to seize new playmakers and depth. But here’s where it gets controversial: this plan assumes key veterans return, smart free-agent moves happen, and the Saints don’t overextend in an already loaded draft pool. Let’s walk through a detailed, beginner-friendly rewrite that preserves every essential fact while clarifying the logic and approach behind each pick.
Setting the Scene
For this exercise, we operate under a specific scenario: veteran edge rushers Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis come back for another year, New Orleans signs a starting-caliber guard in free agency, and Chris Olave inks a multi-year extension at wide receiver. One wrench in the works is the hypothetical loss of cornerback Alontae Taylor. Free-agent additions can bolster depth, but the Saints still have plenty of opportunities to improve on both sides of the ball in this draft.
Who’s Off the Board?
1.1 Las Vegas Raiders select Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza
1.2 New York Jets select Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.
1.3 Arizona Cardinals select Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey
1.4 Tennessee Titans select Ohio State WR Carnell Tate
1.5 New York Giants select Ohio State LB Arvell Reese
1.6 Cleveland Browns select Miami OL Francis Mauigoa
1.7 Washington Commanders select Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love
Round 1, Pick 8: USC WR Makai Lemon
Bio snapshot
- Age: 21
- Height: 5'11", Weight: 195 lbs
- 2025 stats: 79 receptions, 1,156 receiving yards, 11 receiving TDs, 2 rushing TDs
A surprising but plausible twist here: if Tyson’s medical checks don’t go smoothly at the Combine, Lemon becomes an even hotter value. Lemon is widely considered the top separator in this wide-receiver class and could immediately align with Olave and Devaughn Vele without creating redundant roles. He posted 3.13 yards per route run, ranking second among this year’s WR class per Pro Football Focus. He forced 21 missed tackles, tied for third, and logged 31 explosive plays, making him a potent big-play threat alongside a capable quarterback like Tyler Shough.
Round 2, Pick 42: Miami CB Keionte Scott
Bio snapshot
- Age: 24
- Height: 6'0", Weight: 195 lbs
- 2025 stats: 64 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 2 interceptions (returned for touchdowns), 5 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumbles recovered
Scenario fit: If New Orleans loses Taylor in free agency, an aggressive, disruptive corner like Scott becomes an excellent Day 2 target. Scott’s blend of speed, balance, and competitive toughness makes him a natural fit for a nickel or outside role, and his performance at Miami positions him as a strong candidate for immediate rotational impact. Think of him as a dynamic coverage disruptor who can elevate the Saints’ secondary depth.
Round 3, Pick 73: Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price
Bio snapshot
- Age: 22
- Height: 5'11", Weight: 210 lbs
- 2025 stats: 113 rushing attempts for 674 yards and 11 rushing TDs; 2 receiving TDs
Beyond the splashy Love chatter, Price is a sleeper who could fly under the radar to the general public. His elite vision, patient and precise footwork, and the speed to threaten the edge set him apart. A great example: Price demonstrates exceptional feel for blocking schemes and downhill pressure after the snap, showing trust in the line’s development and creating efficient gains on most carries.
Round 4, Pick 132: Iowa State DT Domonique Orange
Bio snapshot
- Age: 21
- Height: 6'4", Weight: 325 lbs
- 2025 stats: 18 combined tackles, 0.5 TFL, 0.0 sacks, 1 PD
Orange’s nickname, “Big Citrus,” hints at his dominant size and role as a 3-4 nose tackle. While his 2025 stats aren’t flashy, the eye test and tape reveal a powerful presence at the point of attack who can anchor the run defense and occupy blockers. The Saints have shown progress on run defense, and Orange could sustain that trajectory by providing interior mass and stoutness.
Round 4, Pick 136: Western Michigan EDGE Nadame Tucker
Bio snapshot
- Age: 25
- Height: 6'3", Weight: 250 lbs
- 2025 stats: 55 tackles, 21 TFL, 14.5 sacks, 1 PD, 4 forced fumbles
Older-prospect value: Tucker proved at Western Michigan that age isn’t a barrier to impact. He showed versatility to line up across the front and rush from multiple stances. He shined at the 2026 Senior Bowl, proving he can handle higher levels of competition. He could complement Chase Young in pass rush rotations and provide depth behind established veterans in the Saints’ front.
Round 5, Pick 148: Alabama IOL Jaeden Roberts
Bio snapshot
- Age: 23
- Height: 6'5", Weight: 327 lbs
- 2025 stats: 2 pressures allowed, 1 sack, 0 QBs hits, 1 hurry
Roberts may not be the fleetest lineman, and balance work could help, but his interior power and large frame give the Saints a valuable foundation for development. While guard is a priority in free agency, adding a versatile interior lineman later in the draft provides depth and insurance as the team reshapes the line.
Round 5, Pick 170: Cincinnati WR Cyrus Allen
Bio snapshot
- Age: 23
- Height: 5'11", Weight: 180 lbs
- 2025 stats: 51 receptions, 674 receiving yards, 12 receiving TDs
A second wideout makes sense for a plan to surround Shough with weapons. Allen led the Big 12 in receiving touchdowns in 2025, largely from the slot (about 92% of his snaps). He is a natural complement to Lemon, offering big-play ability and red-zone prowess. If Allen slides to this range, he could be a homegrown threat for New Orleans, especially given his scoring efficiency.
Round 6, Pick 189: Texas A&M OL Trey Zuhn III
Bio snapshot
- Age: 23
- Height: 6'6", Weight: 319 lbs
- 2025 stats: 10 combined pressures allowed, 2 sacks allowed, 1 QB hit, 7 hurries
Zuhn is the multi-position line player teams covet in late rounds. He has tackled versatility, capable of playing tackle, guard, and center. Short arms might push him inside, but his flexibility helps the depth chart and future-proofing the interior line as the Saints build a more dynamic offensive unit.
Bottom line: This mock draft emphasizes a balanced mix of playmaking at wide receiver, disruptive defensive backs, and versatile trench players to fortify the Saints’ identity on both sides of the ball. It assumes smart free-agent acquisitions and a steady veteran core, while also capitalizing on developmental, high-mloor prospects in the middle rounds.
What do you think? Do you agree with the idea of doubling down at wide receiver early, or should the Saints lean more heavily into secondary or offensive-line upgrades? Which pick stands out to you as the clearest path to immediate impact, and which one feels like a long-term project that could pay dividends later? Share your takes in the comments.
