Breaking down 7 rounds of picks in our final 2026 Saints mock draft

Averaging 17.2 yd per reception on the year, Tate has shown an ability to generate offense both before and after the catch, which is exactly what the Saints are looking for at the position alongside Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele. Despite Tate not being the wide receiver one at Ohio State for much of his time there, he always found a way to make his name known for that offense, especially when it mattered most.

Round 2, Pick 42: D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 19: D'Angelo Ponds #5 of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after breaking up a pass intended for CJ Daniels #7 of the Miami Hurricanes during the first quarter in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

After picking wide receiver in the first round, there were multiple options left here in the second round at the position, which was unfortunate, but there was one big name left on the board who I thought would be able to fit into the Saints defense flawlessly. That being D'Angelo Ponds, a member of the Indiana Hoosiers that just won the national title earlier this year.

Ponds was one of the most impactful players on that Indiana defense in 2025 and 2026, and has rapidly become one of the better cornerbacks in this class based on both production and football IQ. While he is on the smaller side of his position group, and his athleticism does not show at an elite level, he has all the intangibles to be an exceptional cornerback in this league, especially alongside Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley. This is a defense that could really use some more cornerback talent alongside those two, and Ponds has shown to be a great player, with seven interceptions in the past three seasons, along with allowing only 4 touchdowns in that span (three of which coming in 2023, none in 2025).

While most of his time came as an outside corner, the Saints could rearrange the cornerback room however they see fit, specifically in regards to the STAR position and who they choose to fill it long-term after the departure of Alontae Taylor.

Round 3, Pick 73: Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech

Texas Tech players Lee Hunter (left) and Jacob Rodriguez (back) celebrate Romello Height's fumble recover against BYU during the Big 12 Conference championship football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Once again there were multiple wide receivers on the board here who may have benefited the Saints, had we not taken one in round one. That said, with wide receiver and cornerback out of the way, we turn our attention to the trenches in round three getting a player who I widely consider to be better than his draft availability here at pick 73.

That player is Romello Height, a Texas Tech edge rusher who had an exceptional 2025 season alongside breakout player David Bailey, and certainly benefited off of his ability to create pressure, but would also be in a similar scenario alongside Saints defender Chase Young. Height Is a bit of a smaller edge at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, but the Saints defense is able to make up for that with multiple larger players on the defensive front, along with Chase Young, who is certainly on the larger side for the position as well.

After a couple seasons of lackluster production from Height at the collegiate level, he rapidly found his footing in 2025, posting 9 sacks and 42 hurries in 14 games played. He is exactly the type of edge rusher you would be looking to get on Day 2 of the NFL draft, especially after electing not to take one on Day 1, when the vast majority had already been selected off the board early.

Round 4, Pick 132: Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon

Oregon inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher knocks down a pass by Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the Oregon Ducks face the Indiana Hoosiers in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

This pic was a bit more of a difficult one, as with many of the premier positions already being filled early in the draft, eyes turn to other positions where you can get high-level talent but also fill a potential long-term need if things don't pan out the way they were expected. Instead of opting to take a guard here with Beau Stephens on the board, I elected to go for the linebacker position, which, despite the addition of Kaden Ellis, still remains a bit of a question mark. Especially if Pete Werner does not live up to expectations in 2026.

With that said, I chose one of the best remaining players on the board with Bryce Boettcher out of Oregon. Boettcher had a near flawless season in 2024, and 2025 was not all that much different as he picked up the production while remaining efficient in many key cases. While the missed tackle rate was a bit higher in 2025, expectations placed upon him were also significantly higher as he played in nearly 300 more defensive snaps than the year prior.

He wound up with 94 total tackles on the year, missing 14, along with 11 pressures, a forced fumble, 2 sacks, and only a 69.3 passer rating allowed in coverage. He has great size at 6-foot-2, 232 pounds, and as a senior, has been through the ringer at one of college football's most impressive programs. He should be a player who can make an early impact on day one, or also be a developmental player for a year to replace someone like Pete Werner in 2027.

Round 4, Pick 136: Beau Stephens, OG, Iowa

![Iowa offensive lineman Beau Stephens (70) celebrates with running back Kaleb Johnson in the second quarter against Nebraska during a NCAA football game on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

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Iowa offensive lineman Beau Stephens (70) celebrates with running back Kaleb Johnson in the second quarter against Nebraska during a NCAA football game on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Iowavsneb 20221125 Bh

Well, I mentioned him a few picks ago as someone who I would consider selecting for the Saints, especially with their need at guard heading into 2026. That said, he remained here for a few more selections, and this played out exactly how Saints fans would have hoped, as they got another position of need knocked off the board.

Beau Stephens was a very impressive left guard at Iowa for the past few seasons and has showcased exceptional ability at the position, not allowing a sack through the last three years, while only allowing 10 total hurries in that span. Yes, a jump to the NFL level would require a positional change, moving to right guard instead, to replace Cesar Ruiz, with David Edwards taking up the left guard spot for the foreseeable future.

That said, Stephens dominated the collegiate level in pretty much every aspect possible, and he would be exactly the type of player you would be okay with moving positions, even if it takes an extra full year with Ruiz's contract having an out after the 2026 season.

Round 5, Pick 150: Tim Keenan III, DL, Alabama

Nov 22, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama defensive lineman Tim Keenan III (96) sacks Eastern Illinois quarterback Cole LaCrue (3) at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Here in late Day 3, the main focus with all of these selections is just getting potential developmental talent, who can help either earlier in their career or down the road filling a position of need that could come up. Tim Keenan III does a bit of both, as someone who had an exceptional 2024 season and then was not as highly productive against the run in 2025, but still had a solid output.

While he has never been a player who is rapidly generated pressure against the passer, his run defense is what makes him such a special prospect and someone worth investing in long-term. With only nine total pressures in 2025, that much was clear, but he also had seven stops defensively, and graded out well against the run in the vast majority of his games. His showings against USF and against Vanderbilt will both be worth noting heading into the draft cycle.

Round 5, Pick 172: J’Mari Taylor, HB, Virginia

Nov 15, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Cavaliers running back J'Mari Taylor (3) scores a touchdown against the Duke Blue Devils during the third quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

While the Saints have already invested in the running back position, they could use an additional option in the room alongside Alvin Kamara, Travis Etienne, and Devin Neal. J’Mari Taylor would be a great pickup this late in the draft, having back to back 1000+ yard rushing seasons at Virginia, while averaging between 4.6 to 5.8 yards per carry the last three seasons.

His age was one of the bigger setbacks, having the extra COVID season of eligibility, so he is 24 at the time of the draft. As a shorter and more stocky back, he has shown to be a high level talent for a solid program in Virginia, and should be able to make that translate to the NFL level rather rapidly.

Round 6, Pick 190: Zavion Thomas, WR, LSU

Oct 18, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Louisiana State Tigers wide receiver Zavion Thomas (0) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

While the Saints tend to not be a team to pick in-state prospects, or at least LSU prospects, Zavion Thomas would continue to add to a position of need for them, and has already expressed his desire to land with the team. Thomas is a prolific short-route enthusiast, who has reliable hands and would make for a great compliment to Tate, Olave, Vele, and the rest of the group.

With 41 receptions for 493 yards in 2025, he should be able to make things work as a second string wideout at the NFL level, especially if he can be coached up by Kellen Moore to play to his strengths.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Final seven-round New Orleans Saints mock draft