Saints Linked to Potential Bold Draft Trade-Up

New Orleans could look to move up from No. 8 overall pick to target top edge rusher or wide receiver

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:22pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in bold colors depicting an abstract NFL draft scene, with players and team logos broken down into overlapping angular shapes and planes.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the frenetic energy and high-stakes maneuvering of the NFL Draft as teams look to trade up for top prospects.New Orleans Today

The New Orleans Saints, who hold the 8th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, have been named as a team that could potentially make a bold trade-up in the draft. According to reports, the Saints and Dallas Cowboys are two teams that could look to move up to target players like Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love or Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese. The Saints have needs at wide receiver and edge rusher, and moving up could allow them to land a top prospect at one of those positions.

Why it matters

The Saints are looking to build on the emergence of quarterback Tyler Shough and make a push towards the playoffs. A bold trade-up in the draft could allow them to land an impact player at a key position of need, but would come at the cost of additional draft capital.

The details

The Saints are currently slated to pick 8th overall, but Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer has reported that the team could look to trade up, potentially jumping ahead of teams like the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants who also have needs at wide receiver. Edge rusher Arvell Reese and wide receiver Carnell Tate are two players the Saints could target in a trade-up scenario.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26.

The players

Tyler Shough

The Saints' emerging young quarterback who the team is looking to build around.

Jeremiyah Love

A top running back prospect from Notre Dame that the Saints could target in a trade-up.

Arvell Reese

A highly-touted edge rusher from Ohio State that the Saints may try to move up to select.

Carnell Tate

A talented wide receiver prospect from Ohio State that the Saints could look to target if they trade up.

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What they’re saying

“So who could trade up to select one of those two? The Saints, who pick eighth, have shown a willingness to get aggressive in the past and have a pass-rush need. There's also Dallas.”

— Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated Reporter

What’s next

The Saints will have to weigh the cost of trading up against the potential reward of landing an impact player at a position of need. The 2026 NFL Draft order and trade negotiations will become clearer in the weeks leading up to the event.

The takeaway

The Saints' reported interest in a bold draft-day trade-up highlights their desire to continue building a playoff-caliber roster around quarterback Tyler Shough. While it would come at a cost, landing a top edge rusher or wide receiver prospect could pay dividends for New Orleans in both the short and long term.