Daniel Jeremiah predicts Saints trade into top 3 in NFL Draft for game wrecker originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New Orleans Saints entered the 2025 season with one of the worst cap situations in the NFL, but Mickey Loomis and second-year head coach Kellen Moore are approaching the 2026 campaign believing they can compete for a spot in the NFC playoffs.
Due to the hole the Saints created with past contracts from players like Derek Carr, Demario Davis, Marshon Lattimore and others, it was nearly impossible to add new talent to last year’s roster. And with two quarterbacks starting in the NFL for the first time, it’s no surprise New Orleans finished with a (6-11) record.
Surprisingly, as the 2025 Saints offense tried to find its identity, eventually making the move to start rookie QB Tyler Shough over Spencer Rattler in early Nov, their defense was a top 10 unit, finishing No. 9 overall allowing 299 yards per game finishing one spot behind the Patriots.
Carl Granderson emerged as the Saints top pass rusher in 2025 finishing the year with 8.5 sacks while Brian Breese and Chase Young — who seems revitalized in New Orleans — both finished with 5.5 sacks each.
Cameron Jordan finished 2025 with six sacks but isn’t under contract as New Orleans prepares for the draft, while Demario Davis (4.5 sacks) is now a member of the New York Jets.
With the Saints making an effort to bolster the offense this offseason with the addition of RB Travis Etienne Jr., TE Noah Fant and a pair of offensive linemen, there’s been speculation the direction the Saints will decide to go with the No. 8 overall pick on Thursday. They have been linked heavily to Carnell Tate to give Chris Olave help on the other side. Caleb Downs is another name that has been linked to the Saints.
But on Wednesday, NFL.com draft expert Daniel Jeremiah released his final mock draft and predicts the Saints will make a massive move to trade up for one of the best players in the class.
“If the Cardinals stay put at No. 3, I think Jeremiyah Love is the pick. If they are offered a 2027 first-round pick to trade down, that’s going to be a tough deal for them to pass on. So, they take it in this scenario. The Saints have made 25 draft trades since 2008. They traded up in all 25 instances. Assistant GM Jeff Ireland was with the Cowboys when they drafted Pro Football Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware, so he’s aware of the difference an elite pass rusher can make. Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley might be reminded of a player he’s coached at multiple spots in his career, 2016 first-round pick Leonard Floyd.”
This would give the Saints one of the more formidable pass rushing units in the NFC. Let’s see if Loomis wants to shake things up for a possible game wrecker.
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