It's going to be a tough choice for the Saints whether to select a running back or a wide receiver in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft
The New Orleans Saints have a conundrum with the eighth overall pick: do they select a running back or a wide receiver? Other positions are still options, but these two stand out as the greatest needs. It’s paramount that they surround Tyler Shough with as many playmakers as possible so they can evaluate if he’s their quarterback moving forward.
Numerous fans are all-in on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at pick eight, while the other half seemingly wants one of the top four receivers. Below, I laid out the case for each pick and my opinion on which one the Saints should choose.
The case for a running back:
The Saints running back room was strong heading into 2025; however, things didn’t go as planned. Alvin Kamara isn’t the same player he once was, Kendre Miller hasn’t been able to stay on the field and Devin Neal showed flashes but missed some games. Although all three players are still on the roster, it would be wise to add another dynamic option.
Jeremiyah Love is the only option at pick eight for running back. The Heisman finalist had 199 attempts for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025. He’s incredibly explosive and has home-run speed. Additionally, Love has amazing vision and patience in the backfield, allowing him to survey the field for an open lane. Once he does, his elite acceleration and burst are on full display. He’s the complete prospect, thriving as a receiver and in pass protection. Love would be a fantastic option and would instantly elevate the Saints offense.
The case for a wide receiver:
Similarly to running back, the receiving room was viewed as a strength heading into 2025. However, they completely tore it down mid-season when the Saints traded Rashid Shaheed and waived Brandin Cooks. Chris Olave had a career season and Devaughn Vele impressed in his limited opportunities, but it’s still a questionable group.
The Saints starting receivers in week 18 were Kelvin Austin Jr., Dante Pettis and Ronnie Bell. This left Shough stranded and forced him to be Superman. They can’t put him in this position again, which is why it’s crucial to address this in April.
The consensus top four receivers are Washington’s Denzel Boston (a big-bodied, contested catch receiver), Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson (a smooth, explosive route runner), USC’s Makai Lemon (an extremely twitchy slot receiver) and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate (a three-level threat for opposing defenses). Any of these players would fit well into the Saints offense and complement Olave and Vele. This would allow the front office to choose its desired prototype.
What should the Saints do?
The Saints can’t go wrong with either option, as both would improve the offense, but the need at wide receiver surpasses running back. They must grab a pass catcher early, while they can get away with selecting a feature back in a later round. It doesn’t matter which receiver they want to draft; that’s up to the front office, but it’s vital they select one to help Tyler Shough.