New Orleans Saints 2026 NFL Draft Pick Order and Big Board for Top Needs

The New Orleans Saints end the 2025 season with six wins. At 6-11, they pick No. 8 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Each week this season, B/R NFL Scouting Dept.'s Matt Holder highlighted every team's biggest needs and potential 2026 draft prospects who could fill them.

This updated big board is a summation of the scouting done this season and before NFL teams begin the free agency process in March.

All prospect rankings reflected are the latest B/R NFL Draft Scouting Dept. Big Board.

2026 Draft Picks

AP Photo

Saints 2025 1st Round Pick OT Kelvin Banks

1st Round: 8 (8 overall)

2nd Round: 10 (42)

3rd Round: 9 (73)

4th Round: 32 (132 - via SEA), 37 (137 - Comp)

5th Round: 10 (148), 32 (170 - via SEA)

6th Round: 9 (190)

7th Round: none

Final pick order via playoff teams still TBD. Order via Tankathon.

Wide Receiver

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

ASU WR Jordyn Tyson

After trading away Rashid Shaheed ahead of the deadline this season, the Saints should prioritize getting a running mate for Chris Olave during the draft. Putting it simply, Tyler Shough needs more weapons to throw to if he's going to have a legitimate shot at being a franchise quarterback.

Carnell Tate, Ohio State (No. 8)

Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State (No. 11)

KC Concepcion, Texas A&M (No. 17)

Guard

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Penn State G Olaivavega Ioane

An argument could be made that New Orleans can upgrade over Cesar Ruiz, but regardless, the offense has a big need at the other guard spot.

The Saints tried converting tackles Trevor Penning and Dillon Radunz this year, but neither inspired much confidence, and Penning was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers. Also, Radunz is only on a one-year contract.

Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State (No. 25)

Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon (No. 54)

Chase Bistontis, Texas A&M (No. 58)

Edge Defender

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Texas Tech Edge David Bailey

Chase Young has struggled to stay healthy for the majority career, including missing a handful of games this year. Meanwhile, Carl Granderson had a down season, and Cameron Jordan is about to be a 37-year-old free agent. So, the Saints should take a hard look at this year's edge class.

David Bailey, Texas Tech (No. 12)

Cashius Howell, Texas A&M (No. 13)

T.J. Parker, Clemson (No. 24)

Cornerback

David Jensen/Getty Images

Alonte Taylor's contract is about to expire and Kool-Aid McKinstry's play over the last two seasons hasn't quite been CB1 material. So, the Saints could afford to add some cornerback help on the perimeter and at nickel.

Chandler Rivers, Duke (No. 34)

D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana (No. 43)

Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina (No. 48)

Defensive Tackle

Perry McIntyre/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images

Georgia DT Christen Miller

New Orleans' 2023 first-round pick Bryan Bresee hasn't lived up to the billing, and the defense could a significant influx of young talent on the interior line beyond Bresee.

A'Mauri Washington, Oregon (No. 37)

Christen Miller, Georgia (No. 41)

Kayden McDonald, Ohio State (No. 61)