Saints start with a bang in ESPN's new seven-round mock draft
ESPN's new seven-round mock draft has the New Orleans Saints starting with a bang. Here's who Matt Miller has them taking in every round.
The 2026 NFL Draft is now less than a month away, and things are starting to come into focus as the New Orleans Saints finalize their approach ahead of the event in late April. One of the most exciting parts of draft season is tracking what top league analysts have to say about prospects and their potential landing spots. While hundreds of mock drafts have already been released across various media outlets, one we always look forward to comes from Matt Miller.
The ESPN analyst shared his first full seven-round mock draft with just over three weeks until draft day. For the New Orleans Saints, Miller addresses nearly every pressing need, adding one of the draft’s premier edge rushers while also bringing in an explosive playmaker to support second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. As we break down each selection, we’ve included Miller’s reasoning behind some of the early picks to provide insight into both the prospects and their potential fit.
Let’s dive in. Round 1, Pick 8: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech "If you want an impact playmaker off the edge, look no further than Bailey. With 23 tackles for loss and 14.
5 sacks last season, Bailey was unstoppable thanks to his first-step quickness and relentless pursuit skills. That's what the Saints need, as long-time franchise staple Cameron Jordan is a free agent, leaving Chase Young and Carl Granderson atop the depth chart at edge. Bailey's burst is the best in the class and will be an ideal fit in Brandon Staley's defense.