A potential move for the Saints on Day 1.
For the New Orleans Saints, WR has been probably the most talked about position on the roster, and it makes sense why.
Chris Olave had an excellent year in 2025 and showed why he can be a WR1, and Devaughn Vele stepped up and made play after play, but that was really it. Brandin Cooks and Rashid Shaheed were no longer on the team, and the depth behind Olave and Vele struggled. Also, with the health of Olave and Vele, it is really impossible for the Saints to truly rely on these two with full confidence, and Vele may be a good WR3, but not a WR2. Due to all of these issues being combined and the Saints not adressing WR in free agency, this has been a position with a major focus.
Going into the draft, there have been some conversations about WR at 8, but that probably won't happen because the defense needs a difference-maker on it. The offense got most of the investment from free agency, so it is time to work on the defense first. So, if that is the case, day 2 would be the ideal spot to get the next great WR for the Saints.
Looking at those options, one name has consistently been linked to the Saints by fans, analysts, and even players. Louisville WR Chris Bell is the perfect WR prospect for the Saints. He will step in right away (if healthy) and be WR2; his speed after the catch would strike fear into NFL defenses, and he played with Tyler Shough in college. The two have talked to the media many times, saying how great it would be to play again, and there is no doubt that Shough has said the same to the Saints.
Bell suffered a torn ACL late last season, and that's really the only reason we can talk about him falling to the Saints. But he has progressed well, which means the first round is now more likely to be where he is drafted. Because of this, fans have been suggesting trading up for Bell, but should the Saints do it?
In my opinion, no. Look, it would be great for Bell to be on the Saints, but this team is nowhere near ready for a trade like that, especially for the price. New Orleans would have to give up a Day 2 pick next year, and the potential of that class alone should stop the team from doing that. Also, although Bell is progressing well, taking a risk like that on a player coming off an ACL injury is scary. If the Saints were trading up in the second round and getting Bell, I can see that happening, but not into the first.