Daniel Jeremiah predicts Saints will trade up in the top three picks in the NFL Draft for a game-breaker, a prediction that originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
The New Orleans Saints enter the 2025 season with one of the worst salary cap situations in the NFL, but Mickey Loomis and second-year head coach Kellen Moore are approaching the 2026 season confident they can compete for an NFC playoff spot.
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Adding new talent to last year’s roster would be nearly impossible due to holes created by the Saints’ past contracts with players like Derek Carr, Demario Davis, Marshon Lattimore and others. With two quarterbacks making their first NFL starts, it’s no surprise that New Orleans finished with a (6-11) record.
Surprisingly, as the 2025 Saints offense tries to find its identity, eventually starting rookie quarterback Tyler Shough in early November over Spencer Rattler, their defense ranks in the top 10 and ranks ninth overall, averaging 299 yards per game, one spot behind the Patriots.
Carl Granderson was the Saints’ top rusher in 2025 with 8.5 sacks, while Brian Breese and Chase Young (who appeared to be rejuvenated in New Orleans) both finished with 5.5 sacks.
Cameron Jordan had six sacks in 2025 but is not under contract as New Orleans prepares for the draft, while Demario Davis (4.5 sacks) is now a member of the New York Jets.
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As the Saints work to strengthen their offense this offseason, adding RB Travis Etienne Jr., TE Noah Fant and two offensive linemen, there is speculation that the Saints will decide on the direction of the No. 8 pick on Thursday. They’ve been heavily linked with Carnell Tate to help Chris Olave on the other side. Caleb Downs is another name that has been linked to the Saints.
But on Wednesday, NFL.com draft expert Daniel Jeremiah released his final mock draft and predicted the Saints would make a big move to trade one of the best players in the class.
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“If the Cardinals stay at No. 3, I think Jeremiah Love is the best option. If they get a 2027 first-round pick to trade down, it’s going to be a tough trade for them. So, they took that package in that scenario. The Saints have traded drafts 25 times since 2008. They’ve traded up in all 25 Both were traded up. Assistant general manager Jeff Ireland was with the Cowboys when they drafted player DeMarcus Ware, so he knows the impact a good pass rusher can make, and defensive coordinator Brandon Staley may be thinking of 2016 first-round pick Leonard Floyd, who he coached at multiple positions during his career.
That would make the Saints one of the strongest pass-rushing teams in the NFC. Let’s see if Loomis is willing to make changes for a possible game-breaker.
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