2026 NFL Draft: 3 surprise trade-up scenarios for New Orleans Saints
Mickey Loomis has a long history of trading up in the first round of the NFL draft. Here are three targets the Saints GM could chase on Thursday.
Since what feels like ancient times, the New Orleans Saints under general manager Mickey Loomis have been one of the league’s most aggressive teams when draft season arrives. With a long history of draft-day movement, Loomis and the Saints front office have consistently separated themselves from the pack when it comes to wheeling and dealing. Since 2007, Loomis has traded up a staggering 27 times.
Trade down? Zero. The philosophy behind that approach, as Loomis has stated countless times: he would rather move up for a higher-graded prospect than move back for a lower-rated one.
That strategy has not always produced perfect results. The Saints have missed on players such as Marcus Davenport, Zach Baun, and Adam Trautman. At the same time, it has also delivered major successes in Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram II, and Chris Olave.
Whether the philosophy is right or wrong is up for debate, but one thing is certain: Loomis is unlikely to abandon it now. With the Saints currently holding the No. 8 overall pick, it is fair to wonder whether standing pat is truly the most likely outcome.