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Mickey Loomis has often talked about how the New Orleans Saints use free agency to plug holes in their roster ahead of the annual NFL draft, but the team's longtime general manager has just about pulled it off this time. Adding blue-chip free agents like running back Travis Etienne Jr., left guard David Edwards, and pass-rushing linebacker Kaden Elliss has done a lot to set the team up for a wide-open approach to the draft. That's not to say they don't have needs left to address. Elliss won't be a full-time edge rusher like Chase Young or Carl Granderson; his main focus will be filling in for Demario Davis in the middle of the field. And the Saints do need another wide receiver, a defensive lineman or two, and someone to cover the slot. But wide receiver stands apart from the rest of those positions.
As for how likely the Saints are to draft a receiver in Round 1? ESPN's NFL Nation beat reporter Katherine Terrell put it at "Around 40%," acknowledging that "WR remains a big need, but the Saints have positioned themselves to look at a few positions. Don't rule out pass rusher or other defensive positions after New Orleans signed several offensive free agents." Terrell added that USC wide receiver Makai Lemon or Ohio State wideout Carnell Tate could be first-round targets (they both met with team decisionmakers on official 30 visits); Louisville's Chris Bell has a big fan in Tyler Shough and could be in play "later in the draft."
That lined up with what ESPN's NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid has heard: "The Saints are open to the best player available at No. 8. But it shouldn't come as a surprise that they would quickly add Tate if he's still available at No. 8 and have him join fellow Ohio State alumnus Chris Olave."
So it sounds like the Saints are very much open to drafting Tate if he's available, with Lemon not too far behind on their big board. But there's a possibility neither of those guys are the best available player when New Orleans goes on the clock at No. 8 overall. Maybe that means drafting Tate's Ohio State teammate Caleb Downs, who can immediately replace Alontae Taylor at the nickel spot while lining up elsewhere when the team works out of base personnel. It doesn't seem likely that Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey makes it to No. 8, but his Miami counterpart Rueben Bain Jr. could be there. What we do know is the Saints have set themselves up to get better no matter what position they address.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: ESPN says Saints could go best available in Round 1
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As for how likely the Saints are to draft a receiver in Round 1? ESPN's NFL Nation beat reporter Katherine Terrell put it at "Around 40%," acknowledging that "WR remains a big need, but the Saints have positioned themselves to look at a few positions. Don't rule out pass rusher or other defensive positions after New Orleans signed several offensive free agents." Terrell added that USC wide receiver Makai Lemon or Ohio State wideout Carnell Tate could be first-round targets (they both met with team decisionmakers on official 30 visits); Louisville's Chris Bell has a big fan in Tyler Shough and could be in play "later in the draft."
That lined up with what ESPN's NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid has heard: "The Saints are open to the best player available at No. 8. But it shouldn't come as a surprise that they would quickly add Tate if he's still available at No. 8 and have him join fellow Ohio State alumnus Chris Olave."
So it sounds like the Saints are very much open to drafting Tate if he's available, with Lemon not too far behind on their big board. But there's a possibility neither of those guys are the best available player when New Orleans goes on the clock at No. 8 overall. Maybe that means drafting Tate's Ohio State teammate Caleb Downs, who can immediately replace Alontae Taylor at the nickel spot while lining up elsewhere when the team works out of base personnel. It doesn't seem likely that Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey makes it to No. 8, but his Miami counterpart Rueben Bain Jr. could be there. What we do know is the Saints have set themselves up to get better no matter what position they address.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: ESPN says Saints could go best available in Round 1
Continue reading...
