3 Star Players the Saints Could Trade Up for in the 2026 NFL Draft

The Saints could be looking to trade up in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft...

Texas Tech's David Bailey talks to his family during the senior day ceremony before a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium. | Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The New Orleans Saints hold the No. 8 pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. They have a lot of positions they could be targeting with this selection, including a wide receiver, a linebacker, or an edge rusher.

But it's unclear if any of the top talents will be available at pick No. 8. As a result, the Saints could be looking to trade up to pick No. 6, pick No. 5, or pick No. 4 in the first round of the draft.

This would allow the Saints to get a better choice of the prospect they want. But who could they look to trade up for?

Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles

Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles (0) gets into position during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles would be the perfect option to add next to Kaden Elliss in the middle of the Saints' defense. The Saints lost Demario Davis to the New York Jets in free agency this offseason before adding Elliss. But Styles is the clear best linebacker in the draft class. He's the kind of force that can completely change a defense. His mix of speed, size, and athleticism makes him the perfect prospect for the Saints to target in a trade up scenario.

Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey

Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey is one of the best prospects in the NFL draft, but there's a chance he falls to pick No. 4, No. 5, or No. 6 because the teams in the top five might be drafting positions over players. If this is the case, the Saints need to do everything in their power to move up and land him. New Orleans hasn't re-signed Cameron Jordan to this point, so a player like Bailey is exactly what it needs on defense. He would pair well with Chase Young at edge rusher in New Orleans.

Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate talks to agent Drew Rosenhaus during Pro Day for NFL scouts at the Woody Hayes Athletics Center on March 25, 2026. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The biggest position of need in New Orleans is at wide receiver. The best wide receiver in the draft class is Carnell Tate. This is a match made in heaven.

There's a chance Tate falls to the Saints at pick No. 8, but it might not be the most likely outcome. As a result, a trade up to pick No. 6 would work perfectly to make sure New Orleans lands the wide receiver they need to bolster their offense. Tate is a dangerous deep threat who would pair perfectly with Tyler Shough's big arm.