ClutchPoints
For the New Orleans Saints, the 2026 NFL Draft isn’t just another annual exercise in roster building but a referendum on direction. Years of cap gymnastics, aging stars, and short-term fixes have finally given way to something resembling a reset. That’s even if the organization would never publicly label it as such. They have a young quarterback showing promise and a veteran-heavy defense nearing an inflection point. With that, this draft represents a chance to define what Saints football will look like for the rest of the decade. According to the PFF mock draft simulator, New Orleans leans into the trenches hard. That signals a clear philosophical bet on defense, pressure, and long-term stability.
The Saints closed the 2025 season at 6-11. They finished third in the NFC South and fell short of the playoffs once again. The year was defined by instability at quarterback. Spencer Rattler struggled early before being benched midseason in favor of rookie Tyler Shough. That move injected life into the offense. Shough steadied the huddle, pushed the ball downfield more confidently, and led a late four-game winning streak that briefly revived postseason hopes. Ultimately, though, New Orleans couldn’t overcome its early-season inconsistency. A Week 18 loss to the Falcons officially sealed their fate. Still, the season ended with optimism. Shough looked like a viable long-term option. The organization finally had clarity under center heading into the offseason.
With a potential franchise quarterback now in place, the Saints enter the 2026 draft needing to support him while also preparing for inevitable defensive turnover. Offensively, wide receiver is a need. New Orleans lacks a true difference-maker who can tilt coverage, win one-on-one, and grow alongside Shough. The interior offensive line also requires attention, particularly at guard. That’s where protection breakdowns and inconsistent run blocking limited the offense’s ceiling.
Defensively, the warning lights are flashing aplenty. Chase Young’s availability remains unreliable. Carl Granderson regressed in 2025. Cameron Jordan, who has been the face of the Saints’ defense for more than a decade, is approaching free agency at age 37. The Saints don’t just need edge depth; they need successors. Adding multiple defensive linemen who can rotate early and take over later is not a luxury but a necessity.
Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the Saints’ 3-round mock draft based on the PFF 2026 NFL mock draft simulator.
If there’s a prospect in this class who feels tailor-made for New Orleans, it’s Rueben Bain Jr. Bain plays with the kind of violence and control that Saints defenses have historically thrived on. His versatility stands out immediately. Bain can line up as a 4-3 defensive end or sliding into a 3-4 front. He gives coordinators options without sacrificing effectiveness.
Sure, his arm length may raise eyebrows in some scouting rooms. However, Bain compensates with elite hand usage and timing. His two-hand swipe is already an NFL-caliber weapon. He rarely allows tackles...
