Next Steps for Saints After Hot Start to NFL Offseason

The New Orleans Saints have had a good offseason so far, but there is still more work to do.

Jul 26, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, US; New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis at training camp press conference at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

It's been a solid offseason so far for the New Orleans Saints. So much so that if the 2026 National Football League season were to begin tomorrow, New Orleans arguably would be the favorite in the NFC South. Or, at least, they should be.

New Orleans has added a major boost at guard in David Edwards, firepower in the running back room in Travis Etienne Jr., a Demario Davis replacement in Kaden Elliss, and also have added a high-end punter in Ryan Wright, among other moves.

For New Orleans, there is a lot more work to do this offseason.

2026 NFL Draft

Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State wideout Carnell Tate (WO37) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images | Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

The 2026 NFL Draft is coming up starting on April 23. New Orleans will be on the clock with the No. 8 pick in the first round. New Orleans has eight picks in the 2026 NFL Draft in total. New Orleans has the No. 8 pick in the first round, the 42nd pick in the second round, the 73rd pick in the third round, the 132nd pick in the fourth round, the 136th pick in the fourth round, the 150th pick in the fifth round, the 172nd pick in the fifth round, and the 190th pick in the sixth round. At the No. 8 pick, arguably the best fit would be Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, if he's still on the board.

Biggest Roster Holes

Nov 23, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis during the Jimmy Graham retirement at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

The Saints have three roster holes right now at cornerback, the No. 2 wide receiver spot and the pass rush. New Orleans will have options to plug all three roster holes in the 2026 NFL Draft. If New Orleans still has a need afterward, there will be options still in free agency.

Right now, a few receiver options out there for the taking are Keenan Allen, Deebo Samuel and Stefon Diggs. At cornerback, a few options are Marshon Lattimore and Trevon Diggs. For the pass rush, Cameron Jordan is still out there and should be a priority. On top of him, Haason Reddick, Joey Bosa and Jadeveon Clowney are three other options for New Orleans to consider.

The big thing to be on the lookout for right now is the 2026 NFL Draft, but free agency should still be in consideration for the franchise as well. All in all, New Orleans is in a better place than it was in at the end of the 2025 NFL season, but it isn't done yet.