BREAKING NEWS: Kellen Moore Has Revealed The Saints’ Possible 2026 Draft Options
By NFL Nation Staff
April 23, 2026
NEW ORLEANS – As the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off tonight at the Caesars Superdome, New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore has finally pulled back the curtain on the team’s draft strategy. And for a fanbase starved for clarity after months of speculation, the message is unmistakable: the Saints are not desperate, and they are keeping every option on the table.
In a series of press conferences and media appearances leading up to draft day, Moore has consistently emphasized one word: flexibility.
“Everyone hopes you can go into the draft saying, ‘Hey, kind of however this thing falls, we have some flexibility in this draft,’” Moore told reporters earlier this week . “There’s always unpredictability of who’s going to get drafted above you. And so I feel like we’re in a healthy spot in that case.”
That healthy spot is the product of a $183 million free-agency spending spree that addressed the Saints’ most glaring holes before the draft even began . By signing running back Travis Etienne, linebacker Kaden Elliss to replace the departed Demario Davis, and guard David Edwards, New Orleans entered April without the “tackle-or-bust” desperation that defined their 2024 draft approach .
But make no mistake: there are still needs. And Moore has made it clear which positions the Saints are eyeing when they go on the clock at No. 8 overall.
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The Wide Receiver Priority: A Three-Horse Race
If there’s one position that has dominated Moore’s public comments—and the Saints’ internal conversations—it’s wide receiver.
Behind Chris Olave, the Saints’ receiving corps is dangerously thin. Rashid Shaheed was traded to Seattle last season, Brandin Cooks is gone, and while the team acquired former Patriot Ja’Lynn Polk via trade, he spent 2025 on injured reserve and remains an unknown quantity . Moore has made no secret of his desire to give second-year quarterback Tyler Shough a legitimate second weapon.
The question is: which receiver?
According to ESPN’s Matt Miller, the Saints have a clear favorite—but they’ll be nervous on draft night.
“The Saints would be upset if Tyson was off the board,” Miller wrote in his latest mock draft, referring to Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson .
Tyson, who caught 61 passes for 711 yards and eight touchdowns last season, has been a polarizing prospect due to injury concerns . But after an impressive pre-draft workout, those concerns have dissipated. If he’s available at No. 8, multiple league sources suggest New Orleans will pounce.
But Tyson isn’t the only name on Moore’s board. Ohio State’s Carnell Tate has been consistently linked to the Saints throughout the pre-draft process, and Moore himself fueled that fire during an appearance on Kay Adams’ “Up & Adams” show.
When Adams pressed Moore on Tate’s 40-yard dash time, the coach sidestepped the numbers and focused on the tape.
“I think he’s good,” Moore said. “He’s a good player. You can look at all of the statistics. While the top-end speed is really beneficial, there’s plenty of guys who have 40s that look like that across our league that are some of the top players in the league” .
Tate’s 2025 season at Ohio State was nothing short of elite: zero drops on 65 targets, 17.2 yards per reception, and a contested-catch ability that has drawn comparisons to a young Michael Thomas . For Moore, who has emphasized building a diverse “NBA starting five” in his receiving corps, Tate offers a complementary skill set to Olave’s finesse game.
“People like to say in the receiver room, you always kind of want it to feel like an NBA starting five. You don’t want all the same-looking bodies,” Moore explained. “If this guy came into the room, this is what it probably looks like, this is how we structure it” .
Then there’s USC’s Makai Lemon, another name that has surfaced in connection with the Saints. Lemon offers a different profile—quicker than fast, with elite route-running instincts. But among the three, Tyson and Tate appear to be the primary targets.
The bottom line: If either Tyson or Tate is on the board at No. 8, expect the Saints to turn in the card quickly. If both are gone? That’s where things get interesting.
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The Edge Rusher Hedge: Rueben Bain’s Polarizing Profile
While wide receiver is the sexy pick, the Saints have not ignored the other side of the ball. Pass rusher remains a need, particularly with Cameron Jordan—the franchise’s all-time sack leader—turning 37 years old and still unsigned as a free agent .
Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain has emerged as a potential target, but he comes with significant questions.
Bain’s production is undeniable: 20.5 sacks over three seasons with the Hurricanes . But his arm length—just 30 and 7/8 inches—falls well below the prototype the Saints have historically favored at the position.
Moore addressed this tension directly during a recent press conference.
“If you’re slightly off a prototype, you’ve got to be a really productive player,” Moore said. “Have the ability to make plays and have done it over an extended period of time to kind of showcase that. There’s a lot of conversations to be had about that” .
Bain checks the “productive” box. Whether the Saints are willing to make an exception for his lack of length may determine if he’s the pick at No. 8—or if New Orleans waits until Day 2 to address the edge.
The Saints have whiffed on several drafted pass rushers over the last half-decade. Last year’s scheme change, which emphasized a more aggressive front, could make Bain’s bend and burst more valuable than his wingspan . But it’s a risk, and Moore knows it.
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The Running Back Question: Is Love in the Air?
Just when it seemed the running back position was settled—after all, the Saints signed Travis Etienne to a four-year, $47 million deal just weeks ago—Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love continues to appear in mock drafts connected to New Orleans at No. 8 .
Pro Football Focus’ Dalton Wasserman is the latest to make that connection, arguing that Love—who ranked second in the FBS in rushing grade (93.7) and fourth in explosive runs (39)—would give Moore the kind of dynamic backfield weapon that could transform his offense .
But Moore himself has poured cold water on the idea that running back is a priority.
“I feel like our running back room is just a really healthy room right now, just with the depth and experience and all the guys that are in there,” Moore said .
With Etienne now paired with Alvin Kamara—who is entering the final year of his contract—the Saints have already invested heavily in the position. Kamara is set to make $18 million this season, Etienne $11.8 million . Adding Love would mean three running backs making top-tier money, a luxury few teams can afford.
That said, Kamara is 31 years old and coming off a career-low 471 rushing yards before a knee injury ended his season early . If the Saints view Love as a generational talent—and some scouts do—they could justify the pick as a long-term succession plan.
But don’t bet on it. Moore’s comments suggest the Saints are comfortable with their current backfield, and Day 2 or Day 3 running backs are plentiful in this class.
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The Secondary Sleeper: Caleb Downs and the Cornerback Conundrum
One position that has received less public attention from Moore but remains a clear need is cornerback—specifically nickel corner. Alontae Taylor signed with the Tennessee Titans in free agency, leaving a hole in the slot .
Moore acknowledged the challenge.
“Obviously going to be a challenge” to replace Taylor, Moore said. “We’ve got some guys in our building that obviously we feel like can make that transition. We’ll go through the draft process, see what comes out of that experience, and then we’ll continue to evaluate it” .
One name that has been connected to the Saints at No. 8 is Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Downs is widely considered the best defensive back in the class—a versatile playmaker who can line up at safety, nickel, or even outside corner in a pinch.
But would the Saints really take a defensive back in the top 10 when their offense has so many question marks? It’s possible, especially if the top receivers are gone. Moore has made it clear: the Saints are not chasing one particular position .
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What It All Means: The “Healthy Spot”
If there’s a theme to Moore’s pre-draft messaging, it’s that the Saints have options—and they intend to use them.
A year ago, the Saints entered the draft needing a left tackle. They took Taliese Fuaga, and everyone saw it coming . This year is different.
The Saints could take a receiver (Tyson or Tate), an edge rusher (Bain), a cornerback (Mansoor Delane or Downs), or even trade back and accumulate more picks. New Orleans holds eight selections in total, including the 42nd and 73rd overall picks, giving them plenty of ammunition to move up or down .
For Moore, the goal is simple: don’t reach.
“We’re not just chasing one particular position,” Moore said .
That philosophy has served the Saints well in free agency. Now, as the draft clock ticks toward 8 p.m. ET, the question is whether Moore and general manager Mickey Loomis can stick to their board—or whether the allure of a shiny new toy will cloud their judgment.
One thing is certain: when the Saints are on the clock at No. 8, Kellen Moore will have done his homework. And he won’t be panicking.
