2026 NFL Draft: 3 surprise trade-up scenarios for New Orleans Saints
· Yahoo Sports
Since what feels like ancient times, the New Orleans Saints under general manager Mickey Loomis have been one of the league’s most aggressive teams when draft season arrives. With a long history of draft-day movement, Loomis and the Saints front office have consistently separated themselves from the pack when it comes to wheeling and dealing.
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Since 2007, Loomis has traded up a staggering 27 times. Trade down? Zero.
The philosophy behind that approach, as Loomis has stated countless times: he would rather move up for a higher-graded prospect than move back for a lower-rated one. That strategy has not always produced perfect results. The Saints have missed on players such as Marcus Davenport, Zach Baun, and Adam Trautman. At the same time, it has also delivered major successes in Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram II, and Chris Olave.
Whether the philosophy is right or wrong is up for debate, but one thing is certain: Loomis is unlikely to abandon it now. With the Saints currently holding the No. 8 overall pick, it is fair to wonder whether standing pat is truly the most likely outcome. If history tells us anything, New Orleans will at least explore every opportunity to move up the board for a player they view as a difference-maker.
With that in mind, here are three realistic Round 1 trade-up scenarios that could put the Saints in position to land a blue-chip prospect, along with projected compensation based on the Rich Hill trade chart.
1. Saints trade up to select Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey
Saints trade: No. 8 (Round 1) and No. 42 (Round 2), 548 points
Cardinals trade: No. 3 (Round 1) and No. 104 (Round 4), 547 points
This would be a very balanced trade for both sides, with only a one-point difference on the trade chart. For the Saints, getting back an early fourth-round pick would also be a valuable addition, especially considering the current 59-pick gap between the team’s third- and fourth-round selections. As for the move up for Bailey, the logic is easy to see. The Saints still have a clear need for an edge rusher opposite Chase Young, and Bailey offers the type of upside worth targeting. There is some risk involved, as he remains a relatively raw prospect at the position, but if the coaching staff is comfortable with his developmental curve, his traits would fit defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s system like a glove. But of course, the last thing Saints fans may want to hear is another trade up for an edge rusher from a Texas school.
2. Saints trade up to select Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love
Saints trade: No. 8 (Round 1) and No. 73 (Round 3), 471 points
Cleveland trade: No. 6 (Round 1) and No. 107 (Round 4), 477 points
This would be a highly unique scenario if it were to unfold, but one that would be difficult for New Orleans to ignore. In this proposed deal, the Cleveland Browns would move down in a third-and-fourth round pick swap, while the Saints would move up to secure a true blue-chip talent. The prize here is Jeremiyah Love, a player widely viewed as one of the top talents in this class with legitimate All-Pro upside. If he were to somehow slip past the New York Giants at No. 5, there would be a strong argument that he becomes a trade-target for a Saints team looking for a true game-changing presence on offense.
3. Saints trade up to select Ohio State WR Carnell Tate
Saints trade: No. 8 (Round 1) and No. 73 (Round 3), 471 points
Cleveland trade: No. 6 (Round 1) and No. 107 (Round 4), 477 points
The compensation in this scenario would be identical, only this time the target comes at a different position. Carnell Tate is widely viewed as the top wide receiver in this class, especially with the injury concerns surrounding Jordyn Tyson. The Saints have a clear need for a bigger-bodied presence on the perimeter to complement Chris Olave and give Tyler Shough another reliable weapon in the passing game. Tate’s size, ball skills, and ability to win outside would help fill that void immediately while adding long-term upside to the offense. And if New Orleans is going to make an aggressive move for a receiver, what better route to take than dipping back into the Ohio State well that has already paid multiple times already?
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Jeremiyah Love among Saints trade-up targets