The New Orleans Saints have drawn plenty of praise this offseason after closing the year strong, winning 5 out of their final 9 games, and showing clear progress down the stretch. This late season momentum, combined with a focused approach to roster building, has created optimism around the direction of the team heading into 2026.
A major part of optimism comes from their efforts to support their young quarterback, adding multiple pass catchers through both free agency and the draft. Despite working with limited resources, the Saints have been widely viewed by outlets as one of the teams that made the most of their offseason, addressing key needs with efficiency.
However, Pro Football Focus' Daire Carragher isn’t buying the hype. In its “Way too early 2027 mock draft”, the Saints are projected to pick 7th overall, indicating expectations of another underwhelming season. New Orleans would miss the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season and finish worse than last year, when they selected 8th overall in 2025.
The New Orleans Saints aren’t a top 10 pick team
The idea that the New Orleans Saints are headed for another top 10 pick ignores the reality of the division they play in. The NFC South has been one of the league’s weakest in recent years, and despite a disastrous 1-8 start, the Saints still finished just two games out of first place. That kind of late push suggests they’re much closer to competing for a division title than the start of a rebuild.
There’s also more stability entering this season. Head coach Kellen Moore is heading into his second year, now with a clearer vision and control over the roster. Unlike last season, this group reflects his system and preferences, which should lead to better execution and fewer early season struggles.
Most importantly, the development of young quarterback Tyler Shough is set up to be far smoother with the added weapons around him. With improved support and continuity, expecting regression feels misguided making PFF’s prediction seem more disconnected from the team’s actual trajectory.
Add us as a preferred source on Google