The New Orleans Saints are the king of the draft day trade, but they only ever seem to go one way. Could 2026 be the year that finally changes?
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Brought to you by TRANESOUTH: It's hard to stop a TraneSaints sideline reporter Jeff Nowak and WWL Sports Director Steve Geller break down all those scenarios and more in this year's must-trade mock draft, which we broke down in the latest edition of WWL Radio's Inside Black & Gold podcast. Steve's job was to trade up, while Jeff's was to trade down. Here's how it went.
As always, we used PFF's mock draft simulator to set the board around the Saints' selections.
STEVE'S MOCK (trade up ... the simple one)
1. Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
2. Jets: Rueben Bain, Edge, Miami
3. Cardinals: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
4. Titans: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
The trade!
Saints receive: No. 5
Giants receive: No. 8, No. 172 (5th round), 2027 3rd, 2027 4th
5. Saints: Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State
6. Browns: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
7. Commanders: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
8. Giants: Jeremiah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Why: In reality I don't expect the Saints to get this aggressive considering the type of player guaranteed to be on the board when they pick at No. 8, but if they did want to move up, I think it would have to be for a blue-chip edge rusher. To me Reese is the most game-changing player in this draft, even if he is a bit of a tweener. Losing those picks for next year will be tough, but I like the idea of handing Brandon Staley a dynamic new piece to help dial in his scheme and fill a position of need and while still having several picks (including No. 42 overall) to keep adding talent.
JEFF'S MOCK (trade down ... the complicated one)
1. Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
2. Jets: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
3. Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
4. Titans: Rueben Bain, Edge, Miami
5. Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
6. Browns: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
7. Commanders: Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State
The trade!
- Saints receive: No. 18, No. 49 (2nd), No. 97 (3rd), 2027 4th
- Vikings receive: No. 8, No. 190 (6th)
8. Vikings: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
9. Chiefs: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
10. Bengals: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
11. Dolphins: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
12. Cowboys: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
13. Rams: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
14. Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
15. Bucs: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
16. Jets: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
17. Lions: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
18. Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Why: I took my medicine and traded down, picking up extra value, which means I'm ready to gamble a little bit. I take the risk on a supremely talented but injury prone player. A lot will be learned at the workout Tyson is holding this week, but we're talking about arguably the best WR in the draft. I wouldn't be comfortable making this pick at 8 (if I stayed I would've went with Tate), but I'd love to take that shot if I drop back into the middle of the first round.
The rest ... another trade!
- Saints receive: No. 36
- Raiders receive: No. 42, 2027 4th (via Vikings)
The pick
2.36. Saints: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
Why: I collected assets in the first round, now I'm ready to take advantage of them to land a target in the second round. I move up six spots to land a guy that I really like and can profile to be my nose tackle of the future. Hunter is a high-floor, lowish ceiling player, but one that fills a clear need and can develop behind Davon Godchaux until he's ready to take on the full workload. This was necessary because there was a run on DTs early in the second round and other targets like Florida's Caleb Banks and Clemson's Peter Woods were already off the board. I didn't have that extra 2027 4th until minutes ago, so no one will miss it.
2.49. Saints: AJ Haulcy, S, LSU
Why: This is one of the picks I got in the trade down and I use it to bring in a player who could potentially fill the void in the slot or work into the mix at safety. Haulcy is a thumper who will do his best work near the line of scrimmage. He hasn't shown a ton in the offseason as he skipped a majority of the drills at the combine and didn't work out at his pro day, but I think the Saints have gotten a close enough look and will like what they see.
Third round
3.73. Saints: Mike Washington Jr.
Why: I had second thoughts after making this pick, but I'm fine with the result. Washington is a bruising back with long speed. You don't see many 220-pound running backs that can run a 4.33, but that's what Washington is. He'd form a really intriguing tandem with Travis Etienne and reminds me a lot of Latavius Murray as a player. My second thoughts came because I really think edge rusher is a need and Romello Height was still on the board. As I got later in the draft, I really didn't like my edge rusher options, whereas there were still several intriguing RB names to pick from. If I had this to do over again, Height would probably be my pick.
3.97. Saints: Logan Jones, C, Iowa
Why: This is more of an idea pick than any endorsement of Jones. I like his scouting profile, but I won't sit here and pretend I've done any kind of deep dive on Iowa's interior offensive line. What I think is that the Saints should be investing in an Erik McCoy replacement, even if you're hoping it won't be needed. McCoy has seen each of his past two seasons end after 7 games due to significant arm injuries. It's difficult to replace a center on the fly. Luke Fortner left in FA and there's no viable replacement on the roster. Why not add that guy in the draft, and teach him how to play guard while he sits in waiting.
