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NFLPreview
2026 NFL Draft: Saints' biggest team needs, top prospect fits
TL;DR
The New Orleans Saints face critical decisions at the 2026 NFL Draft, holding the 8th pick. They may prioritize selecting a wide receiver or the best available player to address their team needs.
Key points
- Saints hold the 8th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
- Wide receiver is the team's biggest need
- Carnell Tate from Ohio State is a top prospect
- Draft strategy may focus on best player available or filling needs
- Front office must have a ranked list of needs and targets
New Orleans SaintsCarnell Tate
When the New Orleans Saints are on the clock with their first pick on night one of the 2026 NFL Draft, they could adopt a philosophy of selecting the best player available or a player who would fill a need. The approach varies depending on the team making the pick, but when you have a top-ten pick in the draft, selecting the best available player is typically the path teams take.
For the Saints, who have several positions to fill, this will be a situation to watch closely. Will Mickey Loomis and the front office select a wide receiver, which the offense desperately needs, or will they seize an opportunity to draft a potential steal that may have slipped to them at pick No. 8? Only time will tell. It is crucial for the front office to have a ranked list of the team's needs and potential targets for all three days of the NFL Draft, as it navigates the ups and downs of the unpredictable weekend
No. 1 Team need: Wide receiver
Day 1 target: Carnell Tate, Ohio State
The Saints' front office has a history of selecting former Ohio State Buckeyes, and Tate fits that bill. Tate could bring his experience of excelling as an offense's No. 2 option to New Orleans to pair himself with OSU alumnus Chris Olave. He figures to be the safest option out of the top-three wide receivers in this class.
Day 2 target: Chris Bell, Louisville
It's safe to say that Bell would be the wide receiver that Shough most desires this year. The two were teammates at Louisville just a few years ago, and Shough has been lobbying for the front office to bring him to New Orleans since the early parts of the pre-draft process.
Day 3 target: Zavion Thomas, LSU
Everyone loves a good reunion, and for Thomas, who provided plenty of energy to the LSU wide receiver room, it'd be a great fit alongside Olave. He caught 60 passes for 493 yards in 2025 on a wide receiver corps that has four players entering the draft as Day 3 targets.
Q&A
What are the New Orleans Saints' biggest needs for the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Saints' biggest need is a wide receiver, alongside several other positions they need to fill.
Who is the top prospect for the Saints in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The top prospect for the Saints is Carnell Tate from Ohio State, who is expected to be a Day 1 target.
What strategy might the Saints use with their 8th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Saints may choose to select either the best player available or a player who fills a specific need, depending on their evaluation of the draft class.
How important is the 2026 NFL Draft for the New Orleans Saints?
The 2026 NFL Draft is crucial for the Saints as they aim to improve their roster and address key positions to enhance their competitiveness.
