Breaking down 7 rounds of picks in our final 2026 Saints mock draft

With the 2026 NFL Draft just around the corner, many media outlets are getting out their final mock drafts, predicting what each team will consider doing with their respective selections. The New Orleans Saints have some work to do if they wish to be competitive in 2026, and with eight picks to choose from, they could make it work out. Without further ado, here is the final mock draft of the pre-draft cycle here for the Saints: Round 1, Pick 8: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State This is a pick that generally I would choose to get a defensive player, but the board has fallen in a way that wide receiver would be the best value of the remaining options.

With most of the edge talent being gone, as well as Sonny Styles and Mansoor Delane, the best remaining options tend to be wide receiver, especially for the Saints who could desperately use another option alongside Chris Olave. Tate was a highly productive wide receiver at Ohio State, who may not have tested at an elite level, but his size and production, as well as his route running capabilities, make him a high impact player. He is more than capable of making the jump to the NFL level, finding a role early as a high ceiling talent.

Having another option for Tyler Shough in year two would be a huge positive to grab this early in the draft, especially such a premier playmaker such as Tate. Averaging 17. 2 yd per reception on the year, Tate has shown an ability to generate offense both before and after the catch, which is exactly what the Saints are looking for at the position alongside Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele.

Despite Tate not being the wide receiver one at Ohio State for much of his time there, he always found a way to make his name known for that offense, especially when it mattered most. Round 2, Pick 42: D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana After picking wide receiver in the first round, there were multiple options left here in the second round at the position, which was unfortunate, but there was one big name left on the board who I thought would be able to fit into the Saints defense flawlessly. That being D'Angelo Ponds, a member of the Indiana Hoosiers that just won the national title earlier this year.