The 2026 NFL Draft is officially one month away, which means it’s crunch time for the New Orleans Saints scouting department and time for another seven-round mock draft.
This mock draft’s theme is high risk, high reward. Every player selected will have major questions surrounding them, but also elite talent that makes them intriguing. These are some of the most debated prospects in the draft with a wide variance of potential landing spots.
With that said, it’s time for a Saints seven-round mock draft containing some high risk, high reward players.
Despite the injury concerns, the Saints should still consider Jordyn Tyson
1:8- Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Reward: Jordyn Tyson is the most well-rounded player in the draft. He’s an exceptional route runner, explosive athlete, and smart player. He thrives at effectively stemming defenders and creating instant separation. Tyson’s a game-changing threat who can instantly be a star receiver in the NFL.
Risk: Tyson’s lengthy injury is cause for concern. It started in 2022 at Colorado when he tore his ACL, MCL, and PCL. He fully recovered from this, but suffered another setback in 2024 with a broken collarbone late in the Sun Devil’s season. Both of these are unsettling, but his most troublesome injury was his nagging hamstring this season, which is still lingering currently. He’s an unbelievable player, but is in danger of being labeled as injury-prone.
2:42- Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Reward: The six-foot-six, 327-pound defensive tackle pairs a monstrous frame with elite athleticism. Banks has an elite first step and consistently penetrates the backfield. The former Gator has violent hands and seamlessly stacks and sheds opposing lineman. The production won’t show it, but Banks has the potential to be an impactful, three-down presence in the NFL.
Risk: Similar to Tyson, injuries are the biggest concern for Banks. For larger players, foot injuries are seriously concerning, which he has frequently dealt with. He only played three games in 2025 because of a broken foot. After a long recovery, he was finally healthy during the offseason. However, reports surfaced that he once again broke his foot at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. Now the question arises: Can he stay healthy?
3:73- Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
Reward: Stowers is an elite receiving threat. He had 62 receptions for 769 yards and four touchdowns in 2025. He’s a dynamic athlete who is an impressive route runner, which creates a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. He’s too big for a cornerback, and too elusive for a linebacker or safety. This constantly gives the offense an advantage and makes him an enticing option for the Saints as they look to build around Tyler Shough.
Risk: To put it simply, Stowers isn’t a good blocker. He can’t hold his own against edge rushers and even struggles against linebackers. This will force him to be solely a receiver at the start of his career, which is a necessary role, but will limit his production. He needs to get stronger and show he’s a formidable blocker before he impacts early downs.