Saints snag elite edge rusher and a game-changing receiver, bolstering their roster with top 2026 draft talent.
It is officially mock draft season after the Seattle Seahawks took down the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl to close the 2025 NFL season. Now the focus shifts to free agency and the NFL draft.
The Saints are likely to see many of the usual suspects fall to them in mock draft predictions over the coming weeks. They saw a favorable pick in one recent mock draft.
Zach Pressnell of New Orleans Saints on SI made his three-round mock draft prediction for New Orleans and sent a big-time edge rusher to the team in the first round. He wrote the following on Texas Tech Red Raiders edge David Bailey to the Saints.
"It's rare to see Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey fall to the Saints in the first round, but if he does, this selection is a no brainer.
While the Saints would rather fill the hole at running back or wide receiver, it's never a bad idea to take the best player available. Bailey is an elite talent with the ability to develop into a superstar. They'd be betting on his potential over anything, but the talented defensive lineman has all the traits that scouts rave about. He's one of the best players in the draft and would fit perfectly in the Saints starting lineup."
New Orleans got an underrated pick in the second round. Pressnell sent Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. to the Saints with the No. 42 pick.
"The Saints need to add a wide receiver to pair alongside Chris Olave. With Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. coming off a breakout year, he could be the perfect option.
Cooper is a physical beast and a red zone monster. He scored 13 touchdowns for Indiana this season, while nearing the 1,000-yard mark. At pick No. 42, he was the best wide receiver on the board. Filling the hole at wide receiver in Tyler Shough's offense should be a priority this offseason."
Adding a national champion is one thing. Adding a driving force from a national title run is another. That's what the Saints could get in the Indiana receiver. Cooper's production speaks for itself, but the attention to detail that many in the Indiana program seem to have could lead to a well-rounded and prepared NFL prospect in Cooper.
The Saints are close to contention. They'll look to get closer with another great draft in 2026.
Category: General Sports
