Not all positions can be addressed this offseason.
The New Orleans Saints have made strides across their entire roster, finding upgrades in free agency and setting themselves up well for the NFL Draft. Still, with glaring needs remaining, like WR and EDGE, those should be where the Saints focus when considering positions to target in the draft. That factor in the consideration process for prospects tends to outweigh going best player available. But what happens when the Saints get to those positions and are left with about 5 more picks in the draft?
Well, this is where the best player available can really come into play. Yes, it would be nice to address positions of need while also getting one of the best players available, but sometimes, that just does not happen. That outcome may stop the Saints from getting a potential fix at one of their positions of need, so going into the draft, the team really needs to understand what they have to get and what they can survive with in 2026.
Every draft class has its own strengths and weaknesses, and although the 2027 draft is a year away, we can already see where the positions shine. This may also affect what positions the Saints can wait on.
So, with that all in mind, let's look at what those positions could be.
RB
One of the positions the Saints have been linked to in this draft is RB, but it should not be a priority. Alvin Kamara's career is nearing its end, and with Travis Etienne turning 28 after this season, a long-term option does need to be found sooner rather than later. But this is not the time to do it.
Going into next season with Etienne, Kamara, Neal, and Miller or Estime is a decent group. Even with Kamara off the team (if that happens), that four is not bad, and a combination of Etienne and Neal could do some damage to opposing defenses. If the oppurtunity arises, getting an RB viewed as a future RB1 is great, but the Saints will survive without it.
3-4 DE
This is an interesting one of the Saints because nose tackle and EDGE/OLB are still needs, but 3-4 DE is actually pretty set for 2026. After extending Bryan Bresee by picking up his 5th-year option, selecting Vernon Braughton in the third round last year, and having Carl Granderson move more inside, the Saints have three starting 3-4 DEs already.
The position is a bit volatile for the Saints, and the depth needs some work, so getting one more late-round prospect would help, but it should not be forced. Again, other positions, such as EDGE/OLB and NT, are more important to invest in right now.