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The ink has barely had time to dry on the 2025 NFL draft, but experts and college football enthusiasts have already turned their attention to 2026. And with the next wave of mock drafts already sweeping over us, we're taking a minute to look and see who the New Orleans Saints are predicted to take.
Spoiler alert: Quarterback. Many draft analysts aren't letting the Saints' second-round pick of Tyler Shough stop them from mocking another young passer to New Orleans in 2026. And that should be realistic. If the Saints end up with another top-ten draft pick and have the opportunity to answer the "who is replacing Drew Brees?" question once and for all, they shouldn't let Shough's presence stop them from doing so. If they're picking this high again, it's a safe bet that Shough didn't prove to be the answer himself.
But not every projection has the Saints taking a quarterback. Their defense is in need of new blood, too, and a couple of analysts like New Orleans to keep stocking up talent on that side of the ball. See for yourself:
After a one-year hiatus, the quarterbacks have returned in the 2026 draft. New Orleans misses out on the Louisiana native Manning in this exercise but still finds their quarterback of the future in Allar. It comes at the expense of Tyler Shough, but the Saints can't pass an opportunity to dive into this class with a pick this high. He has all the tools to make Saints fans giddy – strong arm, prototypical quarterback size and more. Accuracy is a concern, but it's hard to not get excited about this prospect.
Yes, the Saints drafted Tyler Shough in the second round this year, but that won't stop them from drafting another QB if they're in the top 10. Remember, Derek Carr isn't a lock to remain with New Orleans beyond 2025.
Allar took a big step as a junior in 2024, throwing for 3,327 passing yards and 24 touchdowns with 8 interceptions. He has prototypical size (6-5, 238 pounds) and every raw tool a coach could want. He's known for his strong arm but still needs to work on his ball placement and progressions; his completion rate increase from 60% in 2023 to 66.5% in 2024 bodes well. Allar should be in the first-round conversation if he continues his upward trajectory.
Even after selecting Tyler Shough in the second round, New Orleans should have its eyes on the 2026 quarterback class. Nussmeier finished 2024 with the fifth-most passing yards in the nation (4,043) and tied for seventh in big-time throws (26). He’s a bit of a gunslinger who is also fearless in the pocket and capable of making almost any throw on the field. As an added bonus, he’s the son of Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier.
Arch Manning has attempted 95 passes since arriving in Austin as an early enrollee two years ago, but that is a reflection of the team's investment in former No. 1 overall recruit Quinn Ewers. Honestly, he likely would return in 2026.
Arch Manning, the son of Cooper Manning and nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, saw extended action in victories over Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State last season. The idea of Arch Manning at No. 1 overall is a steep projection, but the pedigree is there.
The other interesting storyline to this selection is that Arch Manning will begin his career where his grandfather, Archie Manning, began and spent 12 of his professional seasons. In fact, the franchise has not used a first-round pick on the position since Archie Manning in 1971.
But wait, there's more. Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier is the father of LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who is expected to be another top quarterback prospect in this draft.
The New Orleans Saints got their quarterback of the future by spending a second-round pick on Tyler Shough over the weekend.
Plus, the third selection means the organization missed out on the chance to carry on the Manning legacy in New Orleans by drafting Archie's grandson.
So, the club opts to replace its franchise sack leader, Cameron Jordan, who will be a 36-year-old free agent next spring.
Listed at 6’3” and 265 pounds, Parker fits the size profile New Orleans general manager Mickey Loomis typically looks for at the position.
The Clemson product also has impressive production with 16.5 sacks over the last two seasons, and he led the country with six forced fumbles in 2024. He and Chase Young would give the Saints a couple of young pass-rushers to build their defense around.
Downs (6-0, 205 pounds) is arguably the best defensive player in the country and an immediate game changer for whatever franchise takes him. The best safety prospect since Kyle Hamilton, Downs is worthy of his sky-high fifth-overall draft capital in this scenario.
So to recap: That gives us four picks spent on three quarterbacks, plus two defenders in Downs (a dynamic safety) and Parker (a big-time pass rusher off the edge). The uncertainty on whether Manning will declare early for the draft, or if he's even going to play well enough in 2025 to demand a premium pick in 2026, is clouding the picture at QB. Other passers like Allar and Nussmeier have questions to answer this season, too. But it's on Shough to keep the Saints from looking at alternatives this time next year. If he proves he can hold his own in the fall, maybe the Saints look at getting him some help or upgrading their defense instead of drafting his replacement.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 mock drafts pick Saints to add a quarterback, maybe Arch Manning
Continue reading...
Spoiler alert: Quarterback. Many draft analysts aren't letting the Saints' second-round pick of Tyler Shough stop them from mocking another young passer to New Orleans in 2026. And that should be realistic. If the Saints end up with another top-ten draft pick and have the opportunity to answer the "who is replacing Drew Brees?" question once and for all, they shouldn't let Shough's presence stop them from doing so. If they're picking this high again, it's a safe bet that Shough didn't prove to be the answer himself.
But not every projection has the Saints taking a quarterback. Their defense is in need of new blood, too, and a couple of analysts like New Orleans to keep stocking up talent on that side of the ball. See for yourself:
USA TODAY: QB Drew Allar, Penn State (4th overall)
After a one-year hiatus, the quarterbacks have returned in the 2026 draft. New Orleans misses out on the Louisiana native Manning in this exercise but still finds their quarterback of the future in Allar. It comes at the expense of Tyler Shough, but the Saints can't pass an opportunity to dive into this class with a pick this high. He has all the tools to make Saints fans giddy – strong arm, prototypical quarterback size and more. Accuracy is a concern, but it's hard to not get excited about this prospect.
ESPN: QB Drew Allar, Penn State (8th overall)
Yes, the Saints drafted Tyler Shough in the second round this year, but that won't stop them from drafting another QB if they're in the top 10. Remember, Derek Carr isn't a lock to remain with New Orleans beyond 2025.
Allar took a big step as a junior in 2024, throwing for 3,327 passing yards and 24 touchdowns with 8 interceptions. He has prototypical size (6-5, 238 pounds) and every raw tool a coach could want. He's known for his strong arm but still needs to work on his ball placement and progressions; his completion rate increase from 60% in 2023 to 66.5% in 2024 bodes well. Allar should be in the first-round conversation if he continues his upward trajectory.
Pro Football Focus: QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU (5th overall)
Even after selecting Tyler Shough in the second round, New Orleans should have its eyes on the 2026 quarterback class. Nussmeier finished 2024 with the fifth-most passing yards in the nation (4,043) and tied for seventh in big-time throws (26). He’s a bit of a gunslinger who is also fearless in the pocket and capable of making almost any throw on the field. As an added bonus, he’s the son of Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier.
CBS Sports: QB Arch Manning, Texas (1st overall)
Arch Manning has attempted 95 passes since arriving in Austin as an early enrollee two years ago, but that is a reflection of the team's investment in former No. 1 overall recruit Quinn Ewers. Honestly, he likely would return in 2026.
Arch Manning, the son of Cooper Manning and nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, saw extended action in victories over Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State last season. The idea of Arch Manning at No. 1 overall is a steep projection, but the pedigree is there.
The other interesting storyline to this selection is that Arch Manning will begin his career where his grandfather, Archie Manning, began and spent 12 of his professional seasons. In fact, the franchise has not used a first-round pick on the position since Archie Manning in 1971.
But wait, there's more. Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier is the father of LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who is expected to be another top quarterback prospect in this draft.
Bleacher Report: EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson (3rd overall)
The New Orleans Saints got their quarterback of the future by spending a second-round pick on Tyler Shough over the weekend.
Plus, the third selection means the organization missed out on the chance to carry on the Manning legacy in New Orleans by drafting Archie's grandson.
So, the club opts to replace its franchise sack leader, Cameron Jordan, who will be a 36-year-old free agent next spring.
Listed at 6’3” and 265 pounds, Parker fits the size profile New Orleans general manager Mickey Loomis typically looks for at the position.
The Clemson product also has impressive production with 16.5 sacks over the last two seasons, and he led the country with six forced fumbles in 2024. He and Chase Young would give the Saints a couple of young pass-rushers to build their defense around.
NBC Sports: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State (5th overall)
Downs (6-0, 205 pounds) is arguably the best defensive player in the country and an immediate game changer for whatever franchise takes him. The best safety prospect since Kyle Hamilton, Downs is worthy of his sky-high fifth-overall draft capital in this scenario.
So to recap: That gives us four picks spent on three quarterbacks, plus two defenders in Downs (a dynamic safety) and Parker (a big-time pass rusher off the edge). The uncertainty on whether Manning will declare early for the draft, or if he's even going to play well enough in 2025 to demand a premium pick in 2026, is clouding the picture at QB. Other passers like Allar and Nussmeier have questions to answer this season, too. But it's on Shough to keep the Saints from looking at alternatives this time next year. If he proves he can hold his own in the fall, maybe the Saints look at getting him some help or upgrading their defense instead of drafting his replacement.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 mock drafts pick Saints to add a quarterback, maybe Arch Manning
Continue reading...
