The Saints’ Big Swing? Could New Orleans Vault Up the 2026 Draft Board With A Trade?

The Saints’ Big Swing? Could New Orleans Vault Up the 2026 Draft Board With A Trade?

Draft day in New Orleans is usually a mix of gumbo, jazz, and the inevitable anxiety of wondering what Mickey Loomis has up his sleeve. Today, April 23, 2026, that anxiety is dialed up to eleven.

While the Saints currently hold the No. 8 overall pick, the rumor mill is spinning faster than a Chris Olave route. The question isn't just who they’ll take, but where they’ll take them. Could the Saints—a franchise that treats draft capital like play money when they see a player they love—be looking to jump even higher into the top five?

The Pelissero Connection

The smoke isn’t just local fan chatter. NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported earlier this morning that both the New Orleans Saints and the Kansas City Chiefs (sitting right behind at No. 9) have already checked the price of admission for a move upward.

According to Pelissero, the "pockets of movement" are forming around the Arizona Cardinals (No. 3) and the Tennessee Titans (No. 4). Both teams are reportedly open for business, and with the Saints at No. 8, they are within striking distance of a "blue-chip" talent that might not survive the first 30 minutes of the draft.

Why Move Up? The Targets

If Loomis is making calls, he isn't doing it to move up one spot for fun. History tells us the Saints move up when there is a specific "must-have" prospect. This year, two names are dominating the conversation:

• Arvell Reese (LB, Ohio State): A defensive unicorn. If the pass on him at No. 2, the scramble begins. Pelissero specifically highlighted Reese as a primary reason for New Orleans’ interest in a trade. Adding his versatility to a Brandon Staley-led defense is a "dream scenario" for the front office.