- Saints could be in the market for a QB: Retaining players like Chris Olave gives the club a chance to form a more informed opinion on whether they have something in 2025 second-round pick Tyler Shough. If they aren’t sold, quarterback will likely be a top target with their first pick.
- The Saints have to load up: Like the Titans, it’s hard for the Saints to go wrong at almost any position, as this roster needs a significant influx of young talent.
- The 2026 NFL Draft season is approaching: Try PFF's best-in-class Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2026's top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team.
For many fans, the writing is already on the wall for their teams’ seasons, and it’s time to look to the future. That means getting an early look at the 2026 NFL draft class, and PFF is here to help. Each week, we’ll take an early mock-draft focus on two new teams, starting with the New Orleans Saints, whose current record would have them picking second overall.
This is not meant to be a predictive exercise — we aren’t close to knowing the actual draft order — but rather an introduction to expected team needs and potential targets. Think of it this way: this is the one series you can afford to wait on for your team, because the longer it takes for them to appear, the better they are performing on the field this season.
Round 1, Pick 2: QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
Simpson’s top-end play this season has the Tide competing for another potential national championship, and he has the look of a top pro prospect. In 2025, he has thrown for 2,461 yards and 21 touchdowns with just one interception. He has accumulated 17 big-time throws and has an impressive adjusted completion percentage of 76.1%.
Round 2, Pick 34: G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
The Saints have invested in offensive tackle in the first round of each of the past two drafts, so now it’s time to shift the focus to the interior. Ioane has been an absolute rock at left guard for the Nittany Lions this year, surrendering just two total pressures on 234 pass-block snaps with no sacks or hits allowed.
Round 3, Pick 66: EDGE Anthony Lucas, USC
At 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds, Lucas has a similar build to long-time Saints legend Cameron Jordan, and his play this season for the Trojans has scouts excited about his transition to the next level in 2026. His pass-rush win rate sits at 14.1%, and he has graded positively on 10.5% of run plays while not missing a single tackle in run support.
Round 4, Pick 131 (From Seattle): WR Eric Rivers, Georgia Tech
The Saints will be looking to replace the vertical ability they lost at the trade deadline when they shipped burner Rashid Shaheed to the Seahawks. Coincidentally, this is one of the two picks New Orleans received in return, so targeting a speedy receiver here would not be a surprise. Eight of Rivers’ 31 catches this season have earned PFF’s explosive designation (catches of at least 15 yards), and he has turned 19 of those receptions into first downs.
Round 5, Pick 138: G DJ Campbell, Texas
New Orleans would do well to double-dip on the interior offensive line in this draft, and landing a player of Campbell’s caliber with this pick could pay dividends for a unit that is currently very thin. Campbell plays right guard for the Longhorns and, while he struggled in a Week 9 matchup against Mississippi State (six total pressures and one sack allowed), he has otherwise been excellent in pass protection. On 269 reps outside of the game against the Bulldogs he has not allowed a sack and has surrendered just one hit.
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