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3 trade-down scenarios the Saints could consider on draft day
TL;DR
The New Orleans Saints are considering trade-down scenarios for the 2026 NFL Draft. With the No. 8 pick, they may trade back to acquire additional assets while navigating a thin draft class.
Key points
- Saints hold the No. 8 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
- General manager Mickey Loomis may break his trend of trading up
- Potential trade with the Cowboys for pick No. 12
- Top prospects include Carnell Tate, Rueben Bain Jr., and David Bailey
- Thin draft class may influence decision to trade down
2026 NFL DraftNew Orleans SaintsDallas Cowboys
The New Orleans Saints enter the 2026 NFL Draft with questions looming about which way they'll decide to go. Longtime general manager Mickey Loomis has a history of trading up, not down, but this could be the year that trend is broken. He just might get an offer that's too good to refuse. At the same time, the Saints may want to stay put in such a thin draft class.
With pick No. 8, the Saints could select a valued prospect like Ohio State's Carnell Tate or elite pass rushers, Miami's Rueben Bain Jr., or Texas Tech's David Bailey. But there's no guarantee the front office's choice will be available when the draft begins. If so, trading back while gaining future assets would be a wise move.
Scenario 1: Saints trade back to Cowboys' pick at No. 12
Saints get: Pick Nos. 12, 92, and a 2027 third-round pick
Cowboys get: Pick Nos. 8, 132, 172
The Dallas Cowboys are rumored to want a top-ten pick. It's unclear who they'd target or if that player would be available at No. 8, but they have assets to make a deal. In this scenario, the Saints move back four spots, gain pick No. 92 and a third-rounder next year, and send two Day 2 picks to balance trade value. At No. 12, New Orleans could still target Jordyn Tyson or Makai Lemon as first-round receivers.
Scenario 2: Saints trade back to Jets' pick at No. 16
Saints get: Pick Nos. 16, 44, and a 2027 fourth-round pick
Jets get: Pick No. 8
The Jets, holders of pick No. 2, are rumored to be aiming for a second top-ten pick, likely for an immediate-impact receiver or a cornerback to fill the void that the trade left in the team’s secondary. It would be interesting to see if the Saints are willing to move all the way back to No. 16, given the fact that there’s a feeling around the league that there are only 13 to 15 players in this class with a first-round grade. If the Saints trade to No. 16, they may trade again if no first-round grade players remain, but this could be a good spot to target someone like Penn State guard Vega Ioane.
Q&A
What are the potential trade scenarios for the Saints in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Saints could trade down from their No. 8 pick to the Cowboys' No. 12 pick, gaining additional selections in the process.
Who are the top prospects the Saints might select with their draft pick?
The Saints could target players like Carnell Tate from Ohio State, Rueben Bain Jr. from Miami, or David Bailey from Texas Tech.
Why might the Saints consider trading down in the draft this year?
The Saints may trade down to acquire future assets, especially given the thin talent pool in this year's draft class.
