With the 2026 NFL Draft right around the corner, the New Orleans Saints will be looking to lock up the franchise’s next top prospect.
Holding the #8 pick in the first round will certainly help that proposition.
The biggest question, nevertheless, is who the Saints could realistically target at that position. As one former NFL head coach noted, New Orleans will be “all over” Ohio State wide-out Carnell Tate.
Former Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith believes the Saints will be looking to land the best receiver in this year’s draft class.
“I know a team like the New Orleans Saints will be all over him, but there are a lot of other teams that will want to pick him as well.”
As Smith told Betway Insider, the Saints are not alone in targeting the coveted wide-out. Smith underscored his reasoning by pointing out that Tate is the most talented receiver in an otherwise thin class at the position.
“I’m not sure he makes it to number 8. He dominated his pro day, and this is not a deep draft for wide receivers, which makes him even more valuable to those teams at the top who need a receiver.”
Smith, a current linebacker coach for the New England Patriots, further expounded on the point.
“It’s a bit of a down year for receivers, which is why everyone is talking about Tate. In previous years, there’s been a debate about two or three different receivers, but this year, it’s all about Tate. It’s a thin receiver class, and I think that’s why we’ve seen so many receivers move and get paid in free agency.”
As much as the Saints would love to bring Tate into the fold, they may have to pivot.
Saints May Have to Pivot in 2026 NFL Draft
The Saints may have no other choice but to pivot. According to Tankathon’s mock draft, Tate is projected to go to the Cleveland Browns at #6. In fact, the top QB, RB, EDGE, OT, and WR would all be gone by the sixth pick.
The Washington Commanders, one pick ahead of the Saints, figure to select David Bailey, another talented EDGE out of Texas Tech. As such, the prognosticators at Tankathon believe that the next-best EDGE, Rueben Bain Jr., would be on his way to the Big Easy.
What to read next: Saints Fans Among the Loudest in the NFL
Smith Believes Bain Jr. Could Be a Great in the NFL
The Saints could do a heck of a lot worse than taking Bain Jr. with their pick. As Smith noted, Bain Jr. impressed him this season.
“I’ve had the opportunity to see him play a couple of times, and I’m really impressed. He reminds me a little bit of former Indianapolis Colts pass rusher Dwight Freeney, who was a great player. I say that because Bain Jr. has a very good first step and can quickly beat you off the line of scrimmage. He also plays all the time on all three downs. He plays with toughness and power off the edge. He was a game-wrecker this past season in Miami.”
Judging from the comments alone, the Saints would do well to land Bain Jr. at #8. Unless Tate somehow falls to New Orleans, it looks like New Orleans will be taking the best player available when their turn comes around. And if that player is Bain Jr., the Saints will land one solid defensive piece.
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