New picks for Saints in post-Super Bowl 2026 NFL mock draft

2026 provides a strong opportunity for the New Orleans Saints to build their roster even further, moving more and more towards a competitor and not a rebuilding franchise. With Super Bowl LX in the rear-view mirror, things now turn over to the NFL offseason, more specifically, the pre-draft process and free agency. Both will be huge for the Saints, as they look to add more pieces to a strong up-and-coming team.

Taking a look into potential mock draft scenarios is always a fun idea this time of year, and with New Orleans clearly desperately needing some offensive weapons, this one will be more focused on that side of the ball. So without further ado, here is how our potential scenario plays out.

Round 1, Pick 8: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

With Jeremiyah Love off the board at this point for the Saints, eyes turn to another offensive playmaker, rather at the wide receiver position, in Carnell Tate. Tate is the receiver with the least amount of questions heading into the draft, as he has the size, minimal injury history, and production. Pairing up the productive 6-foot-3 receiver with a fellow Ohio State playmaker, Chris Olave, would be an exceptionally fun duo, especially alongside Devaughn Vele. Getting Tyler Shough some productive pieces is a huge emphasis this spring. Why not get one early and show Shough the front office is willing to buy in?

Round 2, Pick 42: TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

While double-dipping on weapons this early was not exactly the plan, Stowers is a really strong value at this pick and would make for an extremely fun duo alongside Juwan Johnson. Running more 12-personnel would be something Kellen Moore would no doubt love, and Stowers is the type of player where the talent supercedes the positional need.

In two years with Vanderbilt, he broke the 600-yard mark each time, putting up 769 in 2025 with 4 touchdowns. At 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, he has a strong frame in which he can build even further into a middle-of-the-field threat.

Round 3, Pick 73: EDGE Derrick Moore, Michigan

The PFF mock draft simulator somehow let Derrick Moore slip this far, and this writer is absolutely not complaining about the opportunity. Coming off a 10 sack season, Moore has proven to be an exceptionally fun edge-rusher, whose freakish athleticism and explosiveness would pair extremely well alongside Chase Young. While his run defense leaves a bit to be desired, he and Young would make the interior defensive line's job that much easier, being able to focus on run defense first and foremost.

Round 4, Pick 132: LG Beau Stephens, Iowa

Beau Stephens is one of the more underappreciated offensive linemen in the entire 2026 draft class, and could end up rising into early Day 2 if things go well during the pre-draft process for him. In 620 offensive snaps played this past season, he did not allow a single sack or QB hit, and only allowed four pressures... four! On top of that, he is highly reliable when it comes to penalties, not picking up a single one this year. As a primary left guard, he would free the Saints up to sign a veteran at one guard spot and keep him at the other.

Round 4, Pick 137: DL Tim Keenan III, Alabama

Tim Keenan III is a very similar breed of player to Malcolm Roach, in that he is a very strong interior run defender who has a pretty decent ability to generate pressure at times. Keenan III comes in at a whopping 6-foot-2 and 320 pounds, and would be the exact type of player to play nose tackle in a 3-4 system. While his stats are relatively low, counting-wise, his play style is more focused on closing gaps and letting the defensive ends do the work, which would pair well with Chase Young and company.

Round 5, Pick 148: CB Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State

Cornerback is a pretty strong position of need for New Orleans, and while it may be slightly addressed in free agency, getting a promising outside corner in Day 3 would be good value. Igbinosun played 445 snaps of 534 on the outside this year, picking up 5 PBUs and an interception, and allowing only a 41.0% completion rate for 167 yards. While he did pick up five penalties on the year, that can be worked on over time.

Round 5, Pick 170: WR Chase Roberts, BYU

Doubling up on young wideouts would certainly be a smart choice for the Saints, as they look to add pieces to an offensive core that won't break the bank. Roberts is a fun option to add into the fold if available here or a pick earlier, at 6-foot-4, he really put together some solid numbers in 2025, posting 802 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. After four years with BYU, he broke the 2500-yard mark and now looks to turn to an NFL team to continue his productive career.

Round 6, Pick 189: HB Robert Henry Jr., UTSA

Drafting players from a smaller school situation who just ended up being highly successful is always a fun test to see which of the bunch can stand the NFL transition. Henry Jr. is one of the players who very well could, depending on his ability to withstand contact. While only 5-foot-9, he comes in at 205 pounds, and in 151 rushes last season posted 1,045 yards on the ground with 9 touchdowns, in addition to 114 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns there. A versatile piece who could bring a spark to the running back room alongside the current options.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: New picks for Saints in post-Super Bowl mock draft