LSU playmaker Mansoor Delane heads to New Orleans at No. 8, bolstering a depleted secondary and potentially igniting playoff hopes.
2026 NFL mock drafts are out in full force this month as we inch closer to a crucial draft for the New Orleans Saints. The Saints have a chance to reverse their fortunes with a massive selection at No. 8 overall.
Last season, the team did plenty to ensure positive trajectory by selecting Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. in the first round. In the second round, it appears the Saints found their quarterback in Louisville signal caller Tyler Shough.
Shough broke out in his rookie season with the Saints leaving some believing that New Orleans could be one draft away from playoff contention in the NFC South division. That said, the Saints have clear needs to address if they want to have a real shot at postseason football next year.
One NFL mock draft went about as poorly as it could have for New Orleans. With the Saints in dire need of edge rusher and wide receiver, this draft did not fall like they wanted it to fall.
The first seven picks saw three edge rushers in Ohio State's Arvell Reese, Texas Tech's David Bailey and a popular Saints draft option in Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. all selected in the first seven picks. Ohio State's top wide receiver Carnell Tate also saw his name drafted, while rising linebacker prospect Sonny Styles went in the first few selections as well.
Kyle Crabbs of A-to-Z Sports picked who the Saints would select at that spot. Crabbs sent LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane to New Orleans with the No. 8 pick. He explained his reasoning.
"Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley aren’t going to be enough for me to turn down a fit like Delane in New Orleans. The Saints have lost Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor in the last two offseasons. Delane, who played in New Orleans’ backyard this past season, would be a centerpiece player as the Saints engage in their competitive window."
LSU Tigers cornerback Mansoor Delane (4) reacts to a stop on fourth down against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Stephen Lew-Imagn ImagesThe order of this particular draft would certainly test the Saints' adherence to the best-player-available strategy that has become popular in the NFL. In other words, draft the most talented player on the board, rather than drafting based on needs.
Delane would fill somewhat of a need following the departure of Alontae Taylor this offseason, but one would like to see one of the top seven picks from this mock draft fall to New Orleans.
Each pick between No. 3 and 7 in this mock draft, David Bailey, Sonny Styles (Ohio State), Jeremiah Love (Notre Dame), Carnell Tate and Rueben Bain Jr., has made it onto the Saints' mock draft radar.
We will see how the Saints will draft if all of the above players are off the board when they select at No. 8.