The 2026 NFL draft begins Thursday in Pittsburgh, where the New Orleans Saints will pick at No. 8 in Round 1. The draft continues with Rounds 2 to 3 on Friday and Rounds 4 through 7 on Saturday (ESPN, ABC and ESPN the app).
The Saints have eight total picks: Nos. 8, 42, 73, 132, 136, 150, 172 and 190. But how will they use them? Which positions need to be addressed? Which prospects are coming in for visits and getting buzz with the New Orleans front office and coaching staff?
Saints reporter Katherine Terrell has the latest intel on the team's draft plans, potential targets and more in the lead-up to the draft. We will update this page right up until Round 1 begins.
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How Saints view prospects' measurements that are outliers
Wednesday, April 22: Saints general manager Mickey Loomis was asked about how measurements such as prospects' arm length factor into the team's decision-making with the No. 8 overall pick.
While Loomis said the actual tape overrides everything, he said measurements that are outliers can be a gamble.
"We've got a lot of data that tells us what plays in the NFL. And this isn't exclusive to the defensive line, it's all the positions," Loomis said.
"We know what plays in the NFL and we have some measurements that we can look at and say, 'Man, that's an outlier.' We're not looking for outliers. I say this to our guys, I've said this over the years. If we are looking for exceptions, then we're not going to be here very long because exceptions are exceptions. So we're not looking for exceptions, but we recognize that there are exceptions. And so if someone has some traits that don't match what plays in the NFL, then we better have some other things that tell us that he can overcome that."
Drafting another WR? Shough won't turn it down
Wednesday, April 22: Saints QB Tyler Shough said he has done his homework on some of the wide receivers who are in this draft.
"I've watched almost all of their films in college and just obviously curiosity. I think all of those guys have elite level play. I think that's the biggest thing, at least from I've seen all over the draft board," Shough said on Tuesday. "I think there's a lot of talent."
Shough said he's been throwing to current Saints wideouts Chris Olave, Devaughn Vele and Ja'Lynn Polk this offseason and praised their abilities. However, he said he wouldn't say no to another pass catcher.
"I'm really excited to kind of get the ground running with those guys. And then obviously if we get somebody, that'd be great. But if not, we feel really great about it," Shough said.
Keep eyes on Bain, Tyson
Thursday, April 16: ESPN and NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said he kept going back to two players for the Saints at No. 8 in his predraft conference call.
Jeremiah said defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson are two players he could see fit with New Orleans.
Jeremiah liked Bain's attitude and ability to be moved around and said Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley would like how hard Bain plays.
If the Saints go offense, he said that a wide receiver makes a lot of sense due to having a young quarterback in Tyler Shough. Jeremiah said Carnell Tate might not be available at No. 8, and Tyson would make sense in that spot.
Jeremiah said Tyson's injury history shouldn't be a concern because recent risks have panned out. Shough had multiple injuries in college before he was drafted by the Saints.
"He's a really, really good player. He's a dynamic, explosive athlete. And you think about him and Chris Olave there, the only knock being the durability. Well, they just picked a player last year that had the same concerns and it worked out for them. So I could see them going down that road," Jeremiah said.
Bell and his connections with Shough
April 10: The Saints have been linked to a number of wide receivers during the predraft process, but Louisville wideout Chris Bell has one important person in his corner -- former teammate and current Saints quarterback Tyler Shough.
Bell said he went to dinner with Shough and spent time at his house during a visit with the team this spring. Bell told reporters at Louisville's pro day that Shough has been advocating for him. "He told me that he wants me so bad that he's been pushing my name. So, hopefully. Hopefully [that happens]," Bell said.
Bell, who tore an ACL in December, said doctors expect him to be back by training camp.