Saints 2026 Draft: Wide Receiver or Running Back at No. 8?
New Orleans holds the No. 8 overall pick and must decide between a playmaking wide receiver or a potential Alvin Kamara replacement.
Saints Hold No. 8 Pick, Wide Receiver Tops Draft Board
The New Orleans Saints walk into the 2026 NFL Draft holding the No. 8 overall pick — and a decision that could define their offense for the next five years. With Tyler Shough now locked in as their franchise quarterback, the Saints are hunting for weapons. Multiple mock drafts have them taking a wide receiver with that first-round selection, and Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson is the name popping up most often.
Wide Receiver Remains Primary Need
Wide receiver is the obvious hole on this roster. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has the Saints taking Jordyn Tyson at No. 8 in his latest mock draft, and Daniel Jeremiah agrees — both see New Orleans adding a big-play target in Round 1. The Saints have already met with several top wideouts at the NFL Scouting Combine, including Carnell Tate, who called his sit-down with the team "great" according to Sports Illustrated.
Tate brings serious college production — 1,872 receiving yards in his career. Other receivers linked to the Saints? Makai Lemon, who Yahoo Sports projects landing in New Orleans in their 2026 mock.
Running Back as Alternative Path
Wide receiver looks like the move — but the Saints aren't ruling out running back. Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love is on their radar, especially with Alvin Kamara turning 31 years old before next season and entering the final year of his deal. Succession planning matters.
Draft Position and Strategy
The No. 8 overall pick is a golden opportunity. According to ESPN's Jordan Reid, the Saints are in prime position to pluck from a deep wide receiver class while keeping flexibility to address other holes.
What to Watch at the Combine
The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine runs February 27-March 2 in Indianapolis, and the Saints will be all over their top targets. NOLA.com has eight prospects Saints fans should monitor — and yeah, wide receivers and offensive linemen dominate the list.
Why This Draft Matters
This draft is a fork-in-the-road moment for the Saints' offense. With Shough under center and the No. 8 pick in hand, New Orleans can add a cornerstone weapon that shapes the franchise's trajectory for the next half-decade. Whether they go receiver (Tyson, Lemon) or pivot to running back (Love), that first-round call sends a message about their offensive philosophy.
Looking Ahead to Draft Weekend
The 2026 NFL Draft goes down April 23-25 in Green Bay, Wisconsin — roughly two months for the Saints to finalize their board. As they gather intel through pro days and private workouts, the debate between best player available and biggest need will only get louder. With multiple quality wideouts on the board and the potential for a trade-down, the Saints' approach to No. 8 could ripple through the entire first round.