As the NFL Draft draws closer, the New Orleans Saints find themselves in a great situation holding the 8th pick. Being in the top ten means landing an impact player is almost a certainty, but what if the Saints entertained the idea of moving back a few spots as a team trades up?

That exact scenario is explored by CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles in his latest mock draft.

Advertisement

Saints receive: Pick 12, 92, 112, and a 2027 fourth-round pick

Dallas receives: Pick 8

In this scenario, Dallas trades up to select the consensus number one safety in the draft, Caleb Downs.

“The Cowboys badly need to upgrade their secondary, and while signing Jalen Thompson in free agency was a good start, adding Caleb Downs would be another significant step. Downs is extremely smart, versatile and skilled. He has been one of college football’s best players each of the last three years. Dallas pays a significant price — Nos. 12, 92, 112 and a fourth-round pick next year — to ensure they get a premier defensive talent.”

Advertisement

So, who do the Saints take at pick 12? That would be Jermod McCoy, CB from Tennessee, who is coming off an ACL injury.

“Jermod McCoy had a superb 2024 before an ACL tear cost him his entire 2025. But he had a strong pro day, and his size and ball production are both major positives. The Saints could absolutely use another outside cornerback, and McCoy not only fits but could end up being great value.”

McCoy could end up being the best cornerback in this class and a steal at number 12. The obvious concern is his medicals, but after his pro day, those concerns are fading as teams re-evaluate their thinking about him.

Cases like McCoy make the draft process so fascinating. Once the offseason began, organizations had serious reservations about the cornerback. With new information, teams have to consider McCoy as his talent is too great to ignore. Some say the process from the Senior Bowl to the draft is too long, but this example shows it is the correct amount of time.

Advertisement

Teams need all the time they need to evaluate the player, the person, his background, and his medicals. Information changes quickly, and decisions on players can lead to people losing their jobs, unfortunately. This is a results-driven business, and the hardest thing to scout is medicals and the person, not the talent.