It's no secret that the New Orleans Saints are looking to add to their wide receiver room this offseason. However, that doesn't mean that they need to go after someone who isn't even a free agent.
Sports Illustrated's Patrick McAvoy said that the Saints should have the San Francisco 49ers on the phone right now to try and get their wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. A player who missed most of the 2024 season and the entire 2025 season due to tears of his ACL, MCL, and meniscus in his right knee, he says that he's worth the risk.
When healthy, Aiyuk has shown the ability to be one of the top wide receivers in the NFL. He gathered over 1,300 receiving yards for seven touchdowns on 75 catches in his last full season, helping lead the 49ers to Super Bowl LVIII. But that was two seasons ago, and the Saints have no idea of how he might perform now. There are other receivers the Saints could sign in free agency, but at this point they'd be better off solving their "issues" in the upcoming draft.
The Saints will be better off adding a WR in the draft
This stance isn't exclusive to Aiyuk. Deandre Hopkins, Deebo Samuel, and Keenan Allen are all still looking for a new team in 2026. All could serve in the WR2 role for the Saints; however, the Saints might have a better time at finding that player in late April.
Depending on how the seven teams in front of them draft, players like Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, and Jordan Tyson could be available when the Saints are on the clock. All elite players, they also have enough talent to potentially fuel the team for the next decade. Even if they aren't, or the Saints decide to fill another need, plenty are available on day two of the draft.
It would be a better way for them to go about their business. Aiyuk's contract, per spotrac, is expected to take at least $12 million a year, and in comparison, the Saints' pick at eight is expected to earn almost half as much, around $7.7 million a year, and that's a number that goes down immensely round by round. Pick #42 is expected to earn around $2.8 million a year, almost 83% less than what Aiyuk's contract might be.
The last receiver they took in the first round was Chris Olave, and that has certainly worked out for them. It also might be a minute until they have this kind of opportunity again, so why not draft another receiver in nearly the same spot as their current WR1?