New Orleans Saints Should STAY PUT At No. 8 Overall In 2026 NFL Draft, Avoid Trading Up in Round 1

The New Orleans Saints should stand pat at pick number eight overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to Ross Jackson of Locked On Saints, dismissing rumors of a trade-up to number three as largely speculative and driven by Arizona Cardinals' interest in trading down—not the Saints' desire to move up. Jackson argues that the talent gap between the top edge rushers available at number three and the strong players still available at number eight is not worth sacrificing multiple draft picks, including a future first-rounder. He emphasizes that the Saints could secure elite talent like Ruben Bain Jr., Jordan Tyson, or Caleb Downs at eight while still adding impactful players like Keontae Scott or Carnell Tate in later rounds—effectively getting more value. The episode also breaks down how the top seven picks, especially the Giants, Browns, and Commanders, could influence the Saints’ options by potentially taking players they covet or trading back, opening doors for other teams to leapfrog them. Jackson concludes with a breakdown of the five most likely targets for the Saints at eight: wide receivers Carnell Tate and Jordan Tyson, edge rusher Ruben Bain Jr., safety Caleb Downs, and cornerback Mansoor Delane—each a strong fit, with wide receiver potentially offering the most immediate impact. The Saints’ draft strategy hinges on maximizing value over prestige. Jackson warns against the emotional trap of chasing a 'top-tier' player at the cost of long-term flexibility.