Strengthening the Core Around Tyler Shough and Rebuilding the Future
The New Orleans Saints enter the 2026 NFL Draft with more questions than answers, but also a clearer vision. With Tyler Shough showing enough flashes to justify another year of evaluation — yet not enough to fully lock down the long-term job — the Saints approach this draft with a flexible strategy: build a stronger infrastructure around a developing quarterback while also stocking up on premium defensive talent.
This mock draft is designed around addressing the franchise’s most pressing problems — improving size and consistency at wide receiver, adding a reliable tight end behind Juwan Johnson, fortifying the offensive line, finding a young nose tackle to support Brandon Staley’s defense, and adding a corner who can stabilize a position weakened by Kool-Aid McKinstry’s struggles.
The class below prioritizes physicality, upside, and versatility — traits the modern Saints desperately need.
Round 1, Pick 3 — Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 288
Keldric Faulk is an instant identity-changer on defense. One of the rarest physical specimens in the 2026 class, Faulk blends hyper-elite raw power, freakish pursuit speed, and overwhelming length in a way that should not exist at 288 pounds. His 2024 breakout season (7 sacks, 11 TFLs) confirmed what Auburn coaches always suspected — this is a defensive lineman with the upside to become the best player in an NFL front.
Faulk is a multifaceted problem: stack-and-shed dominance in the run game, explosive first-step energy, pursuit range that tracks down backside runs, and a power profile that destroys single blockers. His pass-rush counters and pad-level consistency need improvement, but the upside is astronomical.
With Avril Reese and Rueben Bain off the board, Faulk is not just the right pick at No. 3 — he may be the most valuable defender in the draft.
Round 2, Pick 37 — Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 195
The Saints need size and reliability at wide receiver, and Lane brings both. At 6’4”, he’s a natural 50/50 ball monster with elite body control, a massive catch radius, and a knack for winning in contested windows. His 12 touchdowns last season showcased his red-zone brilliance and boundary playmaking ability.
Lane does not consistently separate, but that’s not the role the Saints need him to fill. He gives Tyler Shough a big, physical target who can erase accuracy flaws and dominate on fades, back-shoulder throws, and high-leverage third downs. In a room that lost Rashid Shaheed and is heavily leaning on Chris Olave, Lane brings the physical mismatch this offense lacks.
Round 3, Pick 68 — Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 320
Pregnon is exactly the type of lineman New Orleans needs to fortify the interior: big, powerful, and capable of winning with leverage. With overwhelming mass and long levers, Pregnon excels when he gets his hands on defenders early — anchoring against power rushers or redirecting with controlled violence.
He has the lateral quickness to reach his landmarks in both gap and zone schemes, and his ability to recover from compromised leverage situations stands out. As an older prospect entering his sixth collegiate season, his ceiling may not be elite, but his floor is significantly higher than most mid-round guards. Pregnon can start early for a Saints line that desperately needs stability.
Round 4, Pick 124 — PJ Williams, OT, SMU
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 313
One of the most athletic offensive tackle sleepers in the 2026 class, PJ Williams, brings true NFL-starter traits. A former Texas A&M commit who rebuilt his career at SMU, Williams offers outstanding mobility, fluidity, and flexibility for his size. His hip freedom and explosive range make him an ideal developmental tackle with starting potential.
His recovery athleticism is nearly elite — allowing him to survive stunts, late pressure, and counters even when initially beaten. Williams still needs refinement in processing and stunt recognition, and some scouts wonder whether he could eventually kick inside. But the physical tools are undeniable, and the Saints need more high-upside OL talent after multiple failed drafts.
Round 5, Pick 137 — DJ McKinney, CB, Colorado
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 190
The Saints cannot continue relying on Kool-Aid McKinstry’s inconsistency, and McKinney provides an ideal developmental challenger. Playing across from Travis Hunter, McKinney put together a breakout year: 3 interceptions, a pick-six, and 9 PBUs.
At 6’2”, he brings rare length with twitchy footwork, explosive recovery speed, and a physical press demeanor. He excels at squeezing receivers toward the boundary and attacking the run with confidence. His biggest issue is finding the ball while trailing — a teachable fix — but the raw tools scream starting NFL corner.
McKinney is a prototypical Saints mid-round corner with far higher upside than expected at this stage.
Round 5, Pick 145 — Joe Royer, TE, Cincinnati
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 255
Royer is one of the most underrated tight ends in the entire class, and he gives New Orleans exactly what it needs: a true second weapon behind Juwan Johnson. His profile is loaded with intrigue — top-five TE Impact Grade, elite RAC ability, and remarkable consistency at the catch point (18.22 percent above expectation).
Royer excels on seam shots, crossers, and intermediate routes where he can use his fluid hips and acceleration to sit in soft spots or glide past linebackers. His yards-after-catch production is among the best in college football, and his route-running foundation is already NFL-ready.
As a blocker, he has room to grow, but his competitive toughness and base-resetting skills are strong building blocks. The Saints have been missing a two-TE threat since the days of Graham and Watson — Royer could fill that gap.
Round 6, Pick 164 — Tim Keenan III, DT, Alabama
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 326
Keenan is a classic rock-in-the-middle run defender — a dense, low-to-the-ground interior lineman who thrives in early-down situations. His anchor and leverage allow him to occupy double teams, collapse running lanes, and make life easier for linebackers.
While his length limitations cap his pass-rush upside, his lateral quickness flashes potential when used on stunts. He is not explosive enough to be a full-stack disruptor, but his technical discipline provides a high floor for a rotational DT.
With New Orleans lacking long-term stability behind Bryan Bresee, Keenan fills an immediate need as a dependable space-eater.
Round 7, Pick 182 — Dalton Brooks, S, Texas A&M
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 195
Brooks is a tone-setter — a physical, aggressive downhill safety who plays with natural violence and instincts against the run. In his first full season as a starter, he ranked second on the Aggies in tackles while showing versatility between box duties and deep assignments.
He’s an excellent open-field tackler, a finisher in space, and one of the more advanced run-defending DBs in the class. His coverage instincts are still developing, but his athletic background (multi-sport standout, state champion) suggests real room for growth.
As a seventh-round pick, Brooks projects as a standout on special teams with developmental starter upside.
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