The 2026 NFL Draft is just days away, and it’s safe to assume there will be at least one major trade early in the event. Draft trades are inevitable, as aggressive teams aim to seek out the perceived missing piece on the roster while other teams look to accumulate draft capital and fill as many holes as possible. The 2026 draft class is no different in this regard, but what is unique is that teams may be more willing to move into next year’s draft.
The 2026 draft class is widely perceived to be a weak one, and next year’s projected crop of prospects is supposed to be one of the best in recent memory. A lot can change between now and the start of the 2027 NFL Draft (Penn State’s Drew Allar was a consensus first-round pick at this time last year, after all), but teams with premium picks could be more willing to trade down than usual. NFL insider Jordan Schultz recently reported that the Arizona Cardinals are looking to trade down, and the New Orleans Saints could give them a call on draft day.
Saints, Cardinals Could Be Working on NFL Draft Trade
It’s easy to see why the Cardinals want to trade down, as this team has too many roster holes for one non-quarterback to fix. While the team would love to draft a franchise quarterback, there isn’t anyone on the board good enough to justify the third-overall pick. Everyone in the world knows the Las Vegas Raiders will select Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza with the first-overall pick, and Alabama’s Ty Simpson isn’t good enough to be a top-three selection. Trading down would give Arizona more picks to strengthen this weak roster, and it could give them the flexibility to trade up into the back of the first round and select Simpson.
The Saints, meanwhile, have never shied away from making aggressive trades, and the MMQB’s Albert Breer expects the 2026 NFL Draft to be no exception. General Manager Mickey Loomis believes in going all-in on high-end talent even if it leaves holes in the rest of the roster. This draft class may not be deep, but it has a few legitimate blue-chip prospects that could immediately help this roster.
Of course, the likelihood of an NFL Draft trade depends on who is on the board. Mendoza will be the first pick in the draft, but nobody is certain as to what the New York Jets will do with the second-overall pick. Recent reports indicate the team is eyeing pass rusher David Bailey, which means Ohio State’s Arvell Reese could be on the board when the Cardinals are on the clock. If this is the case, don’t be surprised if New Orleans moves up for the defensive playmaker. Reese will make an immediate impact on this team, should start right away, and could easily be this team’s defensive focal point for years to come. The Saints have their quarterback of the future in Tyler Shough, so now it’s time for them to land a dominant defender who can help this team win the NFC South.
