A position of need could see two new additions to help
Free agency is nearly here, and one of the players the Saints have been linked with is former Jacksonville Jaguars RB Travis Etienne. This signing makes a lot of sense for the Saints because of their need at RB, and Etienne would be the new franchise ball carrier for New Orleans. He is a game-changing player for any team, and his ability to make home run plays is something the Saints are missing. This is just one of the free agent outcomes for New Orleans.
Etienne is one option, but the Saints could instead go for a cheaper free agent and set themselves up to enter 2026 with Alvin Kamara, that free agent, and Devin Neal. Or, they could get that cheap free agent, draft Jeremiyah Love at 8, and move on from Kamara. There are many avenues the Saints can go in, but Love is an interesting one because each option could include him.
Looking at the available RB free agents, Kenneth Walker is probably the only player who would stop the Saints from drafting Love at 8. Yes, Etienne is going to be expensive, and he is a clear RB1, but he is 27 entering next season, and the RB fall off can happen at any point. So, if the Saints do sign Etienne, drafting Love should still be in the cards. He is such a good RB and arguably the best player in the draft. Love also complements Etienne's game really well, while allowing both players to avoid being the Saints' workhorse RB.
Now, in this potential outcome, the Saints would have to move on from Kamara, but after recent restructures, that outcome is now in the cards, and the team can do it. This also all comes down to whether Love will be there at 8, which is nowhere near a guarantee, but it could happen. Ideally, the Saints could sign a cheaper free agent, such as Kenneth Gainwell, and proceed with a group of Kamara, Gainwell, and Neal going into the draft. Then, if Love is available, they can draft him, move on from Kamara, and the only RB really being paid a large amount of money would be Love.
No matter what, the Saints need to sign an RB free agent before the draft. The only thing that does change if that happens is that the team won't be relying on Love dropping to 8. But if he does, the Saints can still draft the game-changing RB.