The New Orleans Saints have never shied away from making an aggressive trade early in the NFL Draft, and one report suggests history could repeat itself in just over a week. The team currently holds the eighth-overall pick in a class widely perceived to lack top-end talent. While some teams with better draft capital are trying to trade back, The MMQB’s Albert Breer named the Saints as one team looking to move up.
In a recent article, Breer reported that the Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, and Washington Commanders are all looking to trade down. Breer notes that there aren’t many interested suitors, but said the Saints (or Cowboys) could be willing to move up if the right prospect falls in the draft.
Saints Could Trade Up In 2026 NFL Draft
Breer mentions Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State linebacker Arvel Reese as potential trade-up candidates for the Saints and Cowboys. While Love is a great player, it’s hard to imagine New Orleans giving up additional draft capital to get him. In addition to the relative unimportance of the running back position, the Saints already signed former Jaguar Travis Etienne to a four-year, $50 million contract, so using a top pick on a running back wouldn’t make any sense.
Arvell Resse, however, makes a lot more sense. New Orleans needs a fearsome presence in the front seven, and Reese is one of the best linebacker prospects in recent memory. The Ohio State product should immediately earn a starting job for any team in the league and has legitimate Pro Bowl potential as a rookie. The only problem is it’s hard to imagine Reese slipping out of the top three. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be the first-overall pick, but Reese will probably go second to the New York Jets. If the Jets go in a different direction, it’s hard to see him getting past the Arizona Cardinals.
