Saints Look to Rebuild Roster Through 2026 NFL Draft

New Orleans aims to add talent at key positions to support QB Tyler Shough and move past the Sean Payton era.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 1:04pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting in neon colors depicting the dynamic movement and energy of NFL players on the field, with their faces and uniforms dissolved into unrecognizable splatters of paint, conceptually representing the Saints' need to rebuild their roster through the 2026 draft.The Saints' 2026 draft class will be crucial in injecting new energy and talent into the roster as the team looks to move past the Sean Payton era.New Orleans Today

The New Orleans Saints are in a transitional phase after the departure of longtime head coach Sean Payton, and the 2026 NFL Draft represents a crucial opportunity for the franchise to rebuild its roster. With a new quarterback in Tyler Shough leading the offense, the Saints need to address several key positions, including wide receiver, edge rusher, and the secondary, to become a true contender in the NFC South.

Why it matters

The Saints have relied heavily on veteran players in recent years, and their roster is in need of an influx of young talent. This draft will be pivotal in determining the long-term direction of the franchise as it looks to move past the Payton era and establish a new identity under the leadership of general manager Mickey Loomis.

The details

The Saints hold the 18th overall pick in the 2026 draft and will be looking to add playmakers on both sides of the ball. At wide receiver, the team lost Rashid Shaheed in a trade and needs to find a complement to Chris Olave. On defense, the Saints' pass rush has been propped up by the aging Cameron Jordan, and they'll need to find a young edge rusher to pair with Chase Young. The secondary also has holes, and the Saints could target a cornerback or safety early in the draft.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 24-26 in Pittsburgh.
  • The Saints hold the 18th overall pick in the first round.

The players

Mickey Loomis

The general manager of the New Orleans Saints, responsible for overseeing the team's roster and draft strategy.

Tyler Shough

The Saints' starting quarterback, who is entering his second season in the NFL.

Chris Olave

The Saints' top wide receiver, a first-round pick in 2025 who is expected to be a key part of the team's passing attack.

Chase Young

The Saints' starting edge rusher, who will be looking for a young complement to help bolster the team's pass rush.

Cameron Jordan

The veteran defensive end who has been the Saints' primary pass-rushing threat in recent years.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

The takeaway

The Saints' 2026 draft class will be crucial in determining the team's long-term direction. By addressing key positions of need, New Orleans can build around Tyler Shough and transition away from the Payton era, setting the stage for a potential return to playoff contention in the NFC South.