Coming out of the first week of NFL free agency, the New Orleans Saints are in a great spot as a franchise. They have found their franchise quarterback in Tyler Shough and have filled multiple key needs already this offseason
Left guard David Edwards and running back Travis Etienne Jr. were the biggest free agent additions for the Saints. Those are two major holes filled for New Orleans. Add in tight end Noah Fant and linebacker Kaden Ellis, and there’s only one clear need left.
Larry Holder of The Athletic noted that wide receiver is the clear biggest need for the Saints this offseason. And as he notes, the No. 8 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft is the obvious way to fill this need this offseason.
Saints can fill biggest need at 8th overall with one of three WR prospects
“By signing Etienne, running back is no longer a need early in the draft and could leave open receiver options like Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, or Makai Lemon,” Holdr writes. “At No. 8, the Saints could have their choice of any of them if the board falls right.”
One of those wide receivers has frequently been mocked to the Saints in various mock drafts leading up to free agency.
After the first week, where the Saints resolved their running back and left guard needs, the only dire need, outside of cornerback help, is wide receiver.
But, compared to WR, there isn’t another position that needs more help across the roster. Chris Olave is great, and Devaungh Vele is a solid option as well. But the Saints need a better number two to Olave, and this year’s draft is a great place to find such a player.
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Tate had 875 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 51 receptions for Ohio State last season. He’s likely the first WR off the board, but he could make it to the Saints. It might not be a guarantee, but there’s a good chance he makes it.
If not Tate, the Saints could add Lemon or Tyson. Last year for USC, Lemon had 1,156 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on 79 receptions.
Tyson for Arizona State had 711 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 61 receptions in nine games, fewer than Tate and Lemon.
At the 8th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, one of those wide receivers is surely going to be available. All three very well could be, but at worst, barring a major surprise, the Saints will have a very interesting WR option available to them at 8th overall.
With the Saints’ biggest remaining need after the first wave of free agency being wide receiver, and the strong chance to land a good one in the 2026 NFL Draft, the 8th overall pick for the Saints is very possibly the asset they use to fill their WR2 need this offseason.
