re: Saints Draft Picks, Draft Order and Mock Draft Thread (Updated 3.13.2026)

Updated after the Giants picking at 10. I think that makes it very likely that the Giants take Downs at 5 if he’s there and take whatever WR falls to 10.

Interesting mock draft posted by Jordan Reid on ESPN:
2026 NFL mock draft: Jordan Reid's predictions for 257 picks

8. New Orleans Saints
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Delane shined in his only season at LSU after transferring from Virginia Tech and is the top-rated cornerback on my board. He is a polished technician who can play press-man while being equally good in zone coverage. The Saints can keep pouring resources into their cornerback room here, as Delane would be a true shutdown option on the outside.


42. New Orleans Saints
Gabe Jacas, Edge, Illinois

I've heard some late first-round love on Jacas from sources I've spoken to. He's an intense pass rusher who still has room to grow despite having an 11-sack season in 2025. He also has plenty of knock-back strength as a run defender.


73. New Orleans Saints
Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia

Branch is an elusive and sudden pass catcher who offers plenty after the catch. He still needs to expand his true route tree but could provide the Saints a necessary complement to Chris Olave.


132. New Orleans Saints (from SEA): Hezekiah Masses, CB, Cal

136. New Orleans Saints*: Albert Regis, DT, Texas A&M

150. New Orleans Saints: Kage Casey, G, Boise State

172. New Orleans Saints (from SEA): Eli Heidenreich, RB*, Navy

190. New Orleans Saints: Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati

*I don't think Heidenreich would be a straight RB

anyone out there that is doing a bunch of simulated drafts, is Keldric Faulk available at least some of the time in Round 2 when the Saints pick?

frick.

there is always some player that slips mightily.

Not because of work ethic or character but because of production.


if somehow, he's there early 2nd round then take him. That might freak folks out here because of Foskey.

Foskey was a head case as far as translating to a Pro I don't see that with Faulk.

Got some good data. Source is PFF's draft analysis using snap-count data from 2006–2020 draft classes (Through 2023 season). A "hit" means the player's snap percentage over his first four seasons reached at least two-thirds of the starter baseline at his position.

Hit rate by round:
Position | Round 1 | Day 2 (Rd 2-3) | Drop-off
---------|---------|----------------|--------
TE | 73.3% | 32.6% | -40.7%
iOL | 70.0% | 48.6% | -21.4%
S | 71.4% | 43.8% | -27.6%
OT | 73.0% | 33.8% | -39.2%
DI | 63.2% | 20.7% | -42.5%
HB | 60.6% | 35.3% | -25.3%
LB | 57.9% | 30.3% | -27.6%
WR | 56.9% | 26.3% | -30.6%
QB | 63.3% | 12.8% | -50.5%
CB | 50.0% | 24.1% | -25.9%
ED | 49.3% | 18.2% | -31.1%


Round 1 over/underperform vs. expected


Position | Rd 1 Hit Rate | vs. Expected | Verdict
---------|---------------|-------------|------------------
TE | 73.3% | +14.2% | Best value pick
iOL | 70.0% | +11.1% | Draft-day gold
S | 71.4% | +10.4% | Outperforms slot
OT | 73.0% | +9.4% | Outperforms slot
DI | 63.2% | +1.6% | Meets expectation
HB | 60.6% | +0.1% | Meets expectation
LB | 57.9% | -3.6% | Slight underperform
WR | 56.9% | -3.8% | Slight underperform
QB | 63.3% | -5.1% | Underperforms slot
CB | 50.0% | -9.6% | High bust risk
ED | 49.3% | -13.3% | Highest bust risk