3 trade-down scenarios the Saints could consider on draft day
The New Orleans Saints could have several options in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. One of them: trading down to acquire more draft capital.
The New Orleans Saints enter the 2026 NFL Draft with questions looming about which way they'll decide to go. Longtime general manager Mickey Loomis has a history of trading up, not down, but this could be the year that trend is broken. He just might get an offer that's too good to refuse.
At the same time, the Saints may want to stay put in such a thin draft class. With pick No. 8, the Saints could select a valued prospect like Ohio State's Carnell Tate or elite pass rushers, Miami's Rueben Bain Jr.
, or Texas Tech's David Bailey. But there's no guarantee the front office's choice will be available when the draft begins. If so, trading back while gaining future assets would be a wise move.
Scenario 1: Saints trade back to Cowboys' pick at No. 12 Saints get: Pick Nos. 12, 92, and a 2027 third-round pick Cowboys get: Pick Nos.