Mel Kiper Jr. projects a game-breaking receiver for the Saints at No. 8, aiming to boost their offense and quarterback's potential.
The New Orleans Saints have a huge first round selection to make this offseason. Sitting at No. 8, the team will have an abundance of options. With the high volume of choices will come scrutiny.
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. isn't afraid of his picks being scrutinized after years of bold but informed predictions. Kiper has the Saints targeting a receiver with the pick, adding Arizona State Sun Devils wideout Jordyn Tyson. He wrote why Tyson could be the choice for the team.
"Quarterback Tyler Shough flashed down the stretch of his rookie season, but now the Saints must help him take the next step in Year 2. I had Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson to New Orleans in my first mock draft, and though I'm sticking with the same position, I'm going with Lemon this time around. He attacks the ball in the air and would be a productive player for Shough after amassing 1,156 yards in 2025. Regardless of whether Chris Olave is in the team's long-term plans, New Orleans could improve the offense with someone like Lemon running routes out of the slot."
Interestingly, Kiper has Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love falling past the Saints. He writes the following of Love being drafted at No. 9 by the Kansas City Chiefs.
"Love is No. 2 on my Big Board, showcasing elite-level vision and burst. He can make a house call any time he touches the ball, and with his hands out of the backfield, he can stick on the field on third down. Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are free agents, and they weren't exactly lighting up the ground game last season anyway. Love -- who had 1,372 rushing yards and 18 rushing TDs in 2025 -- could bring a whole new element to the Kansas City offense."
Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) celebrates his touchdown run with teammate Jordyn Tyson (0) against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Joe Rondone/The Republic-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesWhatever direction the Saints go with the pick will come with doubters. Assuming all of Tyson, Love, USC wide receiver Makai Lemon and Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. could all be available with the No. 8 pick, there's an argument that any of the players should be the choice for New Orleans.
If you go with the best player available, Kiper has Love as the No. 2 player in the draft. If you go with sure-fire play at a premium position, Rueben Bain Jr. is someone that could project well to the league. Then when looking at needs, wide receiver becomes probably the biggest target on the Saints roster behind Chris Olave.
The Saints have a big decision coming up in April. The draft will reveal what the team values most in adding to its roster for 2026.