The New Orleans Saints didn't move into full fire sale mode at the 2025 NFL Trade Deadline, but they did manage to recoup a good chunk of Day 3 draft capital by trading speedy deep threat wide receiver Rashid Shaheed to the Seattle Seahawks for a fourth-round and fifth-round pick.
The trade of Shaheed only confirmed that this franchise is punting on the 2025 season and looking towards a future wherein they rebuild around head coach Kellen Moore's philosophy. That could start by landing some game-changers in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Following this plan of attack in the 2026 NFL Draft could not only set them up well for the future, but it could also help them stand out in an NFC South that is very much wide open at this point.
New Orleans Saints 3-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 1: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The more the Saints lose, and the worse Tyler Shough starts to look, the harder it will be for Kellen Moore to look at a player who keeps emerging as the consensus top passer in the draft and run it back with what he has. Mendoza can be their true post-Drew Brees north star.
With a rocket arm that stands out as one of the best in the class, a great football brain that lets him dissect plays from the pocket with ease, and more mobility than he is give credit for, the 6-5 Mendoza is the type of player who can come right in and instantly change the calculus for a franchise.
Round 2, Pick 34: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
The loss of Shaheed not only takes a good chunk of raw talent out of the New Orleans wide receiver room, but it will rob Moore's offense of the verticality it needs to operate at peak efficiency. Brazzell and his 6-5 frame coming to town should have no problem fixing that problem.
If Brazzell can overcome the route-running concerns that have plagued Tennessee skill position players during the Josh Heupel era and improved his speed times, he could be a first-round talent. If he is there at No. 34, the Saints will be thrilled to add him to the mix.
Round 3, Pick 65: Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke
Rivers is going to slide a bit due to concerns about his size, making him a slot-exclusive player in the NFL. Rivers' skills in the slot are so exceptional, however, that a Saints team that needs tons of work on the defensive side of the ball will jump at the chance to snag him if available.
With tremendous speed and short-area quickness, the smarts needed to make plays in both man and zone concepts, and a tireless motor, Brandon Staley should be targeting more players like Rivers in the secondary if he wants any realistic shot of turning this unit around.