Saints Might Find Trade Partner to Move Up in NFL Draft

The New Orleans Saints are exploring trade options heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, with multiple reports suggesting the team could move up from their current position to select a premium player. The Saints, who hold the ninth overall pick, have been linked to potential trade partners with top-five selections.

New Orleans has several roster needs after a disappointing 2025 season, including quarterback, edge rusher, and offensive line. The team has been actively evaluating prospects at all three positions during the pre-draft process, attending pro days and hosting private visits.

Moving up in the draft would require significant draft capital. In recent years, teams trading into the top five have typically surrendered multiple first-round picks plus additional day-two selections. The Saints have limited draft capital after previous trades, making any move up a costly proposition that could mortgage their future flexibility.

Analysts have noted that the Saints' best opportunity may come if a quarterback-needy team ahead of them selects a passer, pushing a coveted non-quarterback prospect down the board. In that scenario, the Saints might only need to move a few spots rather than making a dramatic leap.

What This Means For You: If you follow the Saints or bet on draft outcomes, watch for trade rumors intensifying in the final 48 hours before the draft. A move up would signal the team believes a specific prospect is a franchise-changing talent. For fans of teams picking near New Orleans, a Saints trade could reshape the entire first-round flow and affect who's available when your team is on the clock.