By Ross Jackson<\/p>\n
With the NFL Scouting Combine in the books, it\u2019s time to revisit the New Orleans Saints\u2019 draft potential with another mock draft. Now that there\u2019s more information from each prospect, either from their on-field work or variety of interviews, the picture is starting to get a little more clear around the draft.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Setting the Scene<\/p>\n
Before the draft, NFL free agency will open, allowing teams to address needs by signing league veterans. Before we get to the mock draft, here is an abbreviated look at some of the key moves we\u2019ll use for this scenario.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Who\u2019s Off the Board?<\/p>\n
1.1: Las Vegas Raiders select Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza<\/a><\/p>\n 1.2: New York Jets select Ohio State LB Sonny Styles<\/a><\/p>\n 1.3: Arizona Cardinals select Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.<\/a><\/p>\n 1.4: Tennessee Titans select Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n 1.5: New York Giants select Miami OL Francis Mauigoa<\/a><\/p>\n 1.6: Cleveland Browns select Ohio State WR Carnell Tate<\/a><\/p>\n 1.7: Washington Commanders select Ohio State LB Arvell Reese<\/a><\/p>\n On the Board<\/p>\n The Picks Bio Info<\/p>\n Age: 21 2025 Stats<\/p>\n Carries: 199 Combine Results<\/p>\n Love is the most dynamic offensive player in this draft. With several top defensive pieces off the board and some medical question marks lingering on other players available, Love is an easy decision here.\u00a0<\/p>\n New Orleans immediately lands a player that changes the complexion of its offense, adds a game-breaking factor and supports its young quarterback, Tyler Shough<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t know Jeremiyah Love\u2019s story, you need to watch this piece from College GameDay last September. pic.twitter.com\/hom6H5kWzs<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Justin Graver (@titansfilmroom) February 27, 2026<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Round 2, Pick 42: Louisville WR Chris Bell<\/a><\/p>\n Bio Info<\/p>\n Age: 21 2025 Stats<\/p>\n Catches: 72 Bell may not be ready to go to start the season, though his doctor has given him quite the optimistic timeline to return from his November ACL injury<\/a>, but he would still be a great investment for New Orleans. In this scenario, the Saints have just landed the draft\u2019s best playmaker with Love in the first round, making the patience needed for Bell a lot easier to muster.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Louisville product would add a skill set the team doesn\u2019t currently have. He\u2019s a great run after catch threat with his ability to run through or around contact.\u00a0<\/p>\n Chris Bell is worth the wait. He should come off the board in round 2. The injury just provides some team a discount. #NFLDraft<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/G6Q4Z4esA5<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ray G (@RayGQue) February 22, 2026<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Round 3, Pick 73: UCF EDGE Malachi Lawrence<\/a><\/p>\n Measurements<\/p>\n Height: 6-foot-4 2025 Stats<\/p>\n Tackles: 28 Fumbles forced: 2<\/p>\n Combine Results<\/p>\n 40-yard dash: 4.52s RAS<\/a>: 9.90<\/p>\n One of the players that raised their stock the most in Indianapolis, Lawrence is likely a top-100 player. He\u2019s had two seasons in his career with double-digit tackles for a loss and at least seven sacks. His physical profile fits the standup, speed rusher of the Saints\u2019 defense. He\u2019d be a strong pass rusher specialist to rotate opposite defensive end Chase Young<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Malachi Lawrence is my pick for deepest pass rush bag in the 2026 NFL Draft pic.twitter.com\/KRai5xqRNj<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 25, 2026<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Round 4, Pick 132: South Carolina CB Jalon Kilgore<\/a><\/p>\n Bio Info<\/p>\n Age: 21 2025 Stats<\/p>\n Tackles: 54 Combine Results<\/p>\n 40-yard dash: 4.40s With over 300 snaps played in the slot in each of the last three years, Kilgore could be an option for the STAR role should cornerback Alontae Taylor depart<\/a> in free agency. Like Taylor, Kilgore didn\u2019t blitz much at the collegiate level, but shouldn\u2019t have much trouble getting adjusted to that responsibility if asked. His speed, size and physical style blend well for the position.\u00a0<\/p>\n South Carolina DB Jalon Kilgore is jacked & explosive downhill.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc13Lines up everywhere in the secondary, great for a multiple need team \ud83c\udfa5 @3TechDraftNet<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/LD6a4YA13S<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/4A974hiYbV<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) December 13, 2025<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Round 4, Pick 137: Kentucky G Jalen Farmer<\/a><\/p>\n Measurements<\/p>\n Height: 6-foot-5 2025 Stats<\/p>\n Pressures allowed: 14 Combine Results<\/p>\n 40-yard dash: 4.93s A sneaky steal at this point in the draft, Farmer is a relentless run blocker with some development left to be had in the pass protection area. Adding the Kentucky product after signing a top guard in free agency gives him the comfortability to continue growing in the background. Farmer has the size, play style and athletic profile to be an eventual starter in the NFL or a long-time backup.\u00a0<\/p>\n He will need to crosstrain along the interior, though, to maximize opportunities for his future.\u00a0<\/p>\n Sat down to watch Kentucky right guard Jalen Farmer. These were the first two plays of the game. Consider me intrigued pic.twitter.com\/1AqWnXg3zI<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jack Brentnall (@Jack_Brentnall) February 21, 2026<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Round 5, Pick 146: NDSU WR Bryce Lance<\/a><\/p>\n Bio Info<\/p>\n Age: 24 2025 Stats<\/p>\n Catches: 51 Combine Results<\/p>\n 40-yard dash: 4.34s Lance gives the Saints another wideout option in this class that will be immediately available. His speed is going to draw a lot of eyes, but one of the more impactful elements of his game is in the jump ball area. With his size, leaping ability and 66.7% contested catch rate in college, Lance would have an immediate red zone role in New Orleans.\u00a0<\/p>\n North Dakota State\u2019s Bryce Lance is so smooth and agile for a 6\u20193 X-WR. Among the candidates to be the first FCS player drafted in April.<\/p>\n He was top five in the FCS in yards per route run this past season (3.57). pic.twitter.com\/kjfO8raeQW<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) February 21, 2026<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Round 5, Pick 170: Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher<\/a><\/p>\n Bio Info<\/p>\n Age: 23 2025 Stats<\/p>\n Tackles: 136 Boettcher isn\u2019t the biggest linebacker but his downhill movement and tackling abilities are hard to miss. Both would make him an excellent Day Three special teams addition with a chance to develop into a solid depth piece at the position as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n Oregon Ducks LB Bryce Boettcher (no. 28) was drafted in the 13th round by the Houston Astros<\/p>\n But he has the range, athleticism, and competitiveness of an NFL linebacker. If he keeps making plays like this, he\u2019s going to have to turn down being a top 100 pick@bryce_boettcher<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/dqHrwLrQsV<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Anthony Russo (@Anthony_Russo97) June 19, 2025<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Round 6, Pick 189: Ohio State CB Lorenzo Styles Jr.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Bio Info<\/p>\n Age: 23 2025 Stats<\/p>\n Tackles: 30 Combine Results<\/p>\n 40-yard dash: 4.27s Styles only transitioned to the defensive side of the ball upon his arrival to Ohio State in 2023. Previously, with Notre Dame, the speedy player was a wide receiver. With his track speed, he could become an excellent return specialist and gunner at the next level. The Saints could use help in both categories.\u00a0<\/p>\n The corner all has experience in the slot, adding potential depth at a key spot in the defense.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ohio State CB Lorenzo Styles Jr. played a career-high 29 def. snaps last week: 22 were in the slot.<\/p>\n He saw extended action at nickel w Jordan Hancock at deep safety.<\/p>\n Styles was targeted 3x but gave up only 1 catch for 12 yds, per @PFF<\/a>. He was in coverage on this key 3rd-&-7. pic.twitter.com\/Pf73iMwiJZ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Andy Backstrom (@andybackstrom) November 1, 2024<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \t\t
\nRound 1, Pick 8: Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love<\/a><\/p>\n
\nHeight: 6-foot
\nWeight: 212 pounds<\/p>\n
\nRushing yards: 1,372
\nTouchdown runs: 18
\nReceiving touchdowns: 3<\/p>\n
\nHeight: 6-foot-2
\nWeight: 222 pounds<\/p>\n
\nReceiving yards: 917
\nReceiving touchdowns: 6<\/p>\n
\nWeight: 253 pounds
\nArm length: 33 \u215d inches<\/p>\n
\nTFLs: 11
\nSacks: 7
\nPassed defended: 3<\/p>\n
\nVertical: 40 inches
\nBroad jump: 10-foot-10<\/p>\n
\nHeight: 6-foot-1
\nWeight: 210 pounds<\/p>\n
\nTFLs: 0
\nInterceptions: 2
\nPassed defended: 10
\nFumbles recovered: 2<\/p>\n
\nVertical: 37 inches
\nBroad jump: 10-foot-10
\nBench: 16 reps
\nRAS<\/a>: 9.66<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc137 INT the last two years
\ud83d\udc13Good hips; triggers & closes in underneath zone
\u2705 < 10% career missed tackle rate in 30+ starts<\/p>\n
\nWeight: 312 pounds<\/p>\n
\nHurries: 11
\nHits: 0
\nSacks: 3<\/p>\n
\nVertical: 27 inches
\nBroad jump: 9-foot
\nRAS<\/a>: 9.69<\/p>\n
\nHeight: 6-foot-3
\nWeight: 204 pounds<\/p>\n
\nReceiving yards: 1,079
\nReceiving touchdowns: 8<\/p>\n
\nVertical: 41.5 inches
\nBroad jump: 11-foot-1
\n3-cone: 7s
\n20-yard shuttle: 4.15s
\nRAS<\/a>: 9.95<\/p>\n
\nHeight: 6-foot-1
\nWeight: 233 pounds<\/p>\n
\nTFLs: 5.5
\nSacks: 1
\nInterceptions: 1
\nPassed defended: 6
\nFumbles forced: 2<\/p>\n
\nHeight: 6-foot
\nWeight: 194 pounds<\/p>\n
\nTFLs: 1.5
\nInterceptions: 0
\nPassed defended: 3<\/p>\n
\nVertical: 39 inches
\nRAS<\/a>: 9.66<\/p>\n