Report: Cardinals, Saints in active trade discussions for No. 3 pick as draft day approaches
As the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night, the rumor mill is churning at full speed, with the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals potentially lining up for one of the most significant moves of the first round.
According to multiple reports, the Saints—currently holding the No. 8 overall pick—have engaged in discussions with the Cardinals about trading up to the No. 3 spot. For a Saints franchise known for its aggressive draft-day maneuvering under general manager Mickey Loomis, such a leap would represent a blockbuster shift at the top of the board, but it would come at a steep cost .
The proposed cost of moving up
The financial and asset management calculus for a move from No. 8 to No. 3 is substantial. According to Johnny Venerable of PHNX Sports, a potential deal framework that has gained traction involves the Saints sending three 2026 picks to Arizona: their first-rounder (No. 8), their second-rounder (No. 42), and their third-rounder (No. 73) .
Venerable expressed confidence in this specific package, stating, “I think that’s the preference for these teams. In fact, I know it” . However, not all analysts agree on the exact terms. ESPN’s Todd McShay has floated a slightly different structure, suggesting the Cardinals might also demand a 2027 second-round pick as part of the return .
Regardless of the final specifics, the price tag is undeniably high. If the Saints surrender their second- and third-round selections this year, they would not pick again until late in the fourth round at No. 132. This would effectively close the door on adding immediate depth at wide receiver, defensive tackle, or in the secondary—positions the roster desperately needs to address .
Why the Cardinals are willing to deal
On the other side of the negotiation table, Arizona appears highly motivated to move back. League sources have indicated that no team in the top 10 may be more eager to trade down than the Cardinals .
The Cardinals’ willingness to deal stems from a combination of roster philosophy and draft economics. General manager Monti Ossenfort has demonstrated a willingness to move around the board before—most notably in 2023—and with multiple holes to fill, accumulating extra picks is an attractive proposition .
Furthermore, the top of this draft class lacks a consensus blue-chip prospect at No. 3. While the Las Vegas Raiders are expected to take quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall, the next tier of players has drawn mixed evaluations across the league . For a rebuilding team like Arizona, trading down to add assets while still landing a comparable talent later makes logical sense.
That said, the Cardinals do have a potential ace in the hole: Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported “growing chatter in league circles that Love is truly in play” at No. 3 . Love, who rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns last season, is widely considered a top-five talent. If Arizona cannot find a suitable trade partner, selecting Love could be their fallback option—even if using a top-three pick on a running back would break a trend dating back to Saquon Barkley in 2018 .
What the Saints are targeting
If New Orleans does pull the trigger on a trade up, speculation has centered on two names: Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey and Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese .
Bailey, who recorded 14.5 sacks, 52 tackles, and three forced fumbles last season, is the more frequently mentioned target . With edge rusher Cameron Jordan currently a free agent and Carl Granderson’s contract containing no guarantees beyond 2026, the Saints face a pressing need to bolster their pass rush alongside Chase Young .
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell has proposed a “realistic” trade scenario in which the Saints move up specifically to secure Bailey, who is widely projected to go off the board early . Meanwhile, Reese has also emerged as a potential target, with some draft experts suggesting his stock is rising rapidly enough that New Orleans may need to jump four or five teams to guarantee they land him .
One name that appears unlikely to be the target is Love. The Saints added running back Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency and still have Alvin Kamara on the roster, making a move up for a running back improbable despite Love’s elite talent .
A risky move for a team in transition
The potential trade raises legitimate questions about the Saints’ broader roster strategy. New Orleans has missed the playoffs for five consecutive seasons, and the roster has significant vulnerabilities beyond just edge rusher .
Trading away multiple top-100 picks would represent an all-in move for a team that is arguably not one player away from contention. As one analysis noted, “Making this trade would mean the Saints don’t pick again until No. 132, near the tail end of Round 4. That shuts the door on immediate help at wide receiver, defensive tackle, and in the secondary” .
Yet Loomis has never been known for patience. The longest-tenured active general manager in the NFL has a well-documented history of trading up early and often, and this year appears to be no exception .
Other teams in the mix
The Saints are not the only suitor for the No. 3 pick. According to reports, the Kansas City Chiefs—who pick at No. 9—have also held discussions with the Cardinals about a potential move up . Both the Saints and Chiefs are reportedly targeting the same pool of pass rushers, setting up a potential bidding war for Reese if Bailey is off the board .
Additionally, the Tennessee Titans at No. 4 have signaled a similarly flexible approach, with GM Mike Borgonzi describing a “cluster” of top-tier prospects his team would be comfortable selecting. This suggests that if the Cardinals trade back, the Titans could follow suit, reshaping the entire top five .
The clock is ticking
With the first round scheduled to begin Thursday, April 23, at 7 p.m. CT, the Saints and Cardinals have little time left to finalize any deal .
For New Orleans, the decision comes down to a familiar calculus: Is there a player on the board worth surrendering multiple starters’ worth of draft capital? For Loomis, who has never been afraid to swing big, the answer may very well be yes.
For Arizona, the choice is simpler: Take Love, a potential franchise offensive centerpiece, or trade back and accumulate the assets a rebuilding team desperately needs. Either way, the No. 3 pick stands as the fulcrum upon which the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft may pivot.
