Report: 5 teams picking before Saints want to trade down in 2026 draft

Mickey Loomis is the NFL's longest-tenured active general manager, and the New Orleans Saints GM has developed a trend outsiders are picking up on -- or at least a habit. Loomis has traded up, not down, in each of the last 19 draft classes, often citing the desire to stay put and get a better prospect than to move down and settle for less. When he does move, he (almost) always moves up higher while targeting specific players. Sometimes it works out (Brandin Cooks, Chris Olave). Sometimes it doesn't (Johnathan Sullivan, Marcus Davenport). In 2026, Loomis appears undeterred.

With the 2026 NFL Draft just over one week away, Albert Breer shared some intel for Sports Illustrated. While Breer says the top two picks are just about sewn up (with Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza going to the Las Vegas Raiders at first overall, and Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey following him to the New York Jets at the second pick), it's murky past that. Each of the next five teams have begun calling around gauging interest in a trade down.

"Count the Cardinals, Titans, Giants, Browns and Commanders among those already looking at trying to drop down in the order to accumulate capital," Breer wrote. "The problem for those five is finding teams to move up."

Why aren't the Saints listed in that number? Breer suggested they could be one of the teams looking to move up, given their "willingness to get aggressive in the past and a pass-rush need." With some teams turned off by Rueben Bain Jr.'s subpar arm length and unorthodox athletic profile, Ohio State linebacker/edge rusher Arvell Reese is seen as the next-best prospect after Bailey. Breer continued: "His value from team to team will differ, but the high end is really, really high, and with this new genre of off-the-ball/on-the-ball, Swiss Army knife linebackers (Micah Parsons, Abdul Carter, Jalon Walker, Jihaad Campbell et al.), more teams have a home for guys with his profile."

Chase Young looks like a bona fide star, and Carl Granderson is a good piece to have in the rotation, but teams need three viable edge rushers in today's NFL. Whether or not Cameron Jordan re-signs with the Saints for another year, they need someone who can help get after the quarterback in 2026, 2027, and beyond. Reese might be that guy. But trading up for him would be expensive. With such a thin depth chart, New Orleans may be better served staying put and spending all of their picks to keep rebuilding this roster.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Report: 5 teams picking before Saints want to trade down in 2026 draft