Draft day in New Orleans is usually a mix of gumbo, jazz, and the inevitable anxiety of wondering what Mickey Loomis has up his sleeve. Today, April 23, 2026, that anxiety is dialed up to eleven.
While the Saints currently hold the No. 8 overall pick, the rumor mill is spinning faster than a Chris Olave route. The question isn't just who they’ll take, but where they’ll take them. Could the Saints—a franchise that treats draft capital like play money when they see a player they love—be looking to jump even higher into the top five?
The smoke isn’t just local fan chatter. NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported earlier this morning that both the New Orleans Saints and the Kansas City Chiefs (sitting right behind at No. 9) have already checked the price of admission for a move upward.
According to Pelissero, the "pockets of movement" are forming around the Arizona Cardinals (No. 3) and the Tennessee Titans (No. 4). Both teams are reportedly open for business, and with the Saints at No. 8, they are within striking distance of a "blue-chip" talent that might not survive the first 30 minutes of the draft.
If Loomis is making calls, he isn't doing it to move up one spot for fun. History tells us the Saints move up when there is a specific "must-have" prospect. This year, two names are dominating the conversation:
Arvell Reese (LB, Ohio State): A defensive unicorn. If the New York Jets pass on him at No. 2, the scramble begins. Pelissero specifically highlighted Reese as a primary reason for New Orleans’ interest in a trade. Adding his versatility to a Brandon Staley-led defense is a "dream scenario" for the front office.
The Premier Left Tackle: Whether it's to protect a veteran or solidify the future for Kellen Moore's offense, the Saints have a well-documented history of valuing the trenches. If the top-tier offensive tackles start to look like they’ll be gone by pick six, don't be surprised if New Orleans jumps the line.
The intrigue deepens because the Saints aren't the only ones hovering. The Chiefs are right there at No. 9, and they have significantly more ammunition, holding two first-round picks (Nos. 9 and 29) this year. If it comes down to a bidding war for a prospect like Reese, New Orleans might have to get aggressive—and potentially dip into 2027 assets—to beat out Brett Veach.
"The Saints at eight and the Chiefs at nine... both make sense to move up for the top offensive tackle or Arvell Reese." — Tom Pelissero, NFL Network
Predicting a Saints trade is like predicting a summer afternoon rain in Louisiana, it’s almost guaranteed, you just don’t know exactly when it’ll hit.
The Saints are in a "win-now" window with a roster that has elite flashes but clear holes. Picking at No. 8 is a position of strength, but this front office has never been content with "good enough." If Arvell Reese is still on the board at No. 4 and the Titans are looking to move, my bet is on Mickey Loomis pulling the trigger.