Wilson's 2026 NFL mock draft: Saints still go QB, Arvell Reese first defensive player off the board

Technically, rookie Tyler Shough is the Saints' starter for the rest of the season. When New Orleans goes on the clock in the 2026 NFL Draft, Shough will almost certainly become the latest high-round pick whose team uses an even higher-round pick 12 months later in the hopes of upgrading the position.

The Panthers did it in 2011 when they took Cam Newton No. 1 overall, and the Cardinals did it eight years later when they selected Kyler Murray with the top pick. And as we sit here, nine weeks into the 2026 season, the Saints are staring that first-overall selection in the face.

There will no doubt be discussions in the building about trading down and what such a draft haul might do to reset this roster, but if the organization feels that Fernando Mendoza or Ty Simpson or Dante Moore is Their Guy, then those discussions will be short.

Former Titans GM Ran Carthon and I talked about this last week on "With the First Pick," our NFL Draft podcast:

In my Mock Draft 2.0, I have just three QBs going in the first round -- and one via trade; after trading down from No. 2 to No. 5 last April, the Browns move up from No. 6 to No. 2 in this excerise for a quarterback. And much like the conversation surrounding Shough, it's fair to assume that neither Dylan Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders (or any other QB currently on Cleveland's roster) will be penciled in as the 2026 starter before the draft.

(In my previous mock last month, I had five QBs taken, but there's a decent chance USC's Jayden Maiava returns to school and Oklahoma's John Mateer hasn't been nearly the player he was prior to an injury to his throwing hand.)

In this version, I have seven offensive linemen, six edge rushers and five cornerbacks, and 15-17 split of offensive and defensive players coming off the board.

OK, let's get to it (just a reminder, this is the draft order according to Tankathon heading into Monday night).