2026 NFL Draft Team Needs & Predictions: Saints (2026)

The New Orleans Saints finally have clarity at quarterback—and that changes everything about their 2026 offseason plan. If Tyler Shough is the real deal, the Saints’ draft strategy shifts from searching for answers to protecting and supporting a young franchise QB while navigating a brutal cap situation.

This Saints-only breakdown highlights the biggest roster holes, key 2026/2027 free agents, and how New Orleans can prioritize offensive line, running back, and defensive depth to maximize this roster in 2026.

Pick 8: New Orleans Saints

2026 Free Agents:

WR: Dante Pettis
TE: Taysom Hill, Foster Moreau, Jack Stoll, Mason Pline (ERFA)
OL: LT Landon Young, G Dillon Radunz, C Luke Fortner, C Will Clapp
EDGE: Jonah Williams, Chris Rumph II
DL: Cameron Jordan, Jonathan Bullard, John Ridgeway
LB: Demario Davis
CB: Alontae Taylor, Michael Davis
S: Ugo Amadi, Terrell Burgess
ST: None

2027 Free Agents:

RB: Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, Audric Estime (RFA), Evan Hull (ERFA)
WR: Chris Olave, Samori Toure (RFA), Ronnie Bell (RFA), Kevin Austin (ERFA), Elijah Cooks (ERFA), Trey Palmer, Mason Tipton (RFA)
TE: Moliki Matavao (ERFA)
OL: OT Nick Saldiveri, RT Asim Richards, G Will Sherman (ERFA)
EDGE: None
DL: Davon Godchaux, Nathan Shepherd, Bryan Bresee (CLUB), Myles Cole (ERFA)
LB: Isaiah Stalbird (RFA)
CB: Rejzohn Wright (ERFA), Beanie Bishop (ERFA)
S: Julian Blackmon, Jordan Howden

Team Needs: IOL, RB, WR, LB, CB, DT

A shame that the Saints waited so long to start Tyler Shough last season. The rookie QB showed promise as a potential franchise piece for New Orleans. Shough was great throwing at the intermediate level (stickier stat year over year) and on third downs (tougher to replicate, but impressive).

Shough’s 68% completion rate on intermediate throws ranked No. 1 in the NFL in 2025. Per Next Gen Stats, Shough finished 8th in completion rate (67.6%) overall.

In Shough’s last eight games, he averaged 17.8 fantasy points per game. 260 passing yards and 21.5 rushing yards per game (top-15 fantasy QB numbers).

The Saints saw enough to build around Shough this offseason, so they are set at the QB position.

As for team needs, the Saints EVP & GM Mickey Loomis emphasized the offensive line as a priority when starting a young QB.

Saints EVP & GM Mickey Loomis when asked by @McShay13 on how they can help Tyler Shough mentioned how he was mentored by Mike McCormack who believed “the most important room was the offensive line room.”

“If they can’t function at a high level, then it doesn’t matter how good… pic.twitter.com/fYrWA5Mnil

— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) February 18, 2026

HC Kellen Moore also spoke about taking the best player available in the draft. The Saints have some questions to answer at center and guard, given their OL crop hitting FA. Eric McCoy will be back under center after missing the second half of last year with a torn biceps injury.

The Saints have a big need at RB. Devin Neal and Audric Estime are on the roster alongside long-time veteran Alvin Kamara.

Depending on Moore’s confidence in Neal and Estime, the Saints are likely to spend an early pick on a running back in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Saints can save $8.5 million in cap space by cutting Kamara after June 1. The Saints RB finished second in fantasy points scored UNDER expectation in 2025. Career lows in rushing efficiency marks for Kamara.

Currently, he has the largest cap hit among RBs entering the last year of his deal. NO is currently 31st in cap space ($-42M).

Free agent Rico Dowdle could be a great early-down option to pair with Kamara. Also, could go to Pittsburgh (reunite with Mike McCarthy).

According to Saints Wire, Dowdle is someone the Saints know well (Kellen Moore and several assistants coached him on the Dallas Cowboys), and he’s coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with 50 runs of 10 or more yards over the last two years. Kamara leads the Saints with 35 carries for 10 or more yards, but no other running back has more than 11 of them in that span.

Kamara’s targets were also nuked in the Kellen Moore offense: Averaged fewer than 17 receiving yards/game. Kamara was never under 30 in any season during his NFL career. Catches also fell to a career-low 3 per game.

Free agent RB Kenneth Gainwell also has experience playing with Kellen Moore (Philadelphia).

More WR depth also makes sense, as there’s not much behind Chris Olave (who is looking for a long-term deal despite contemplating retirement last season due to concussions). Devaughn Vele projects as the No. 2 WR, but another pass-catcher in the draft makes sense.

Shough played with Louisville’s Chris Bell in his final year in school. Or….Moore makes a potential play for a current Eagles WR A.J. Brown.

Defensively, LB, CB, and EDGE highlight the needs based on their top FAs. Defensive tackle is more of a 2027 concern, as the Saints’ run defense did post the third-best EPA/rush allowed in 2025.