The 2026 NFL Draft is right around the corner. And with it comes plenty of speculation. Among the chatter, a New Orleans Saints trade idea has come to light.
The Saints are on track to pick eighth in this year’s draft. That’s not a bad position to be in. However, the club might be willing to make something bigger happen. That “something” could be trading up.
That’s the idea that notable commentator Todd McShay proposed in his NHL Mock Draft.
McShay sees the Saints looking to trade up in order to shore up a key position in their defense. In particular, McShay believes New Orleans could be looking to add the most talented EDGE in the draft, Arvell Reese out of Ohio State.
Reese, who had an outstanding season, is expected to go among the top three picks in this year’s draft. For example, Tankathon projects Reese going second overall to the New York Jets. McShay believes Reese would go third to the Arizona Cardinals.
And that’s where the trade comes into play. The Saints, according to McShay’s projections, believe New Orleans could send the eighth pick, along with picks 42 in the 2026 NFL Draft and a second-rounder in the 2027 NFL Draft, for the Cardinals’ selection.
That situation would enable the club to pick Reese and solve a major issue on the defensive side of the ball. On the surface, such a trade wouldn’t be the craziest idea in the world.
Saints Could Use More Pop on Defense
The Saints realize that they need more pop on the defensive side of the equation. The organization brought back Kaden Elliss as a free agent this season. But that doesn’t mean there’s a need for more support.
Reese fits that bill. He registered 34 solo tackles and 6.5 sacks in 14 games this season. That was a huge improvement over last season’s totals. Specifically, the noticeable uptick in sacks is something the Saints will have their eye on.
New Orleans could certainly use a strong pass rusher. Plus, Reese could also help stop the run. That makes taking a swing at Reese all the more plausible.
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Trade Would Hinge on 1 Thing
The trade idea looks good on paper. While it’s certainly something the Cardinals might be willing to do, pulling the trigger on the deal would likely depend on one thing: What the teams in front of the Cardinals do.
The Las Vegas Raiders hold the first-overall pick. There’s little doubt that they will take Fernando Mendoza with their pick. Mendoza is clearly the best QB in a noticeably weak QB class. In fact, Mendoza projects as the only QB taken in the first round.
That said, the Jets hold the second pick. If they pick Reese, there might not be an incentive for the Saints to make the trade. That is, unless they want to take another EDGE in David Bailey, or potentially a linebacker in Sonny Styles.
If the Saints were serious about trading up, they would have to wait to see if the player they want goes off the board. There’s always the possibility that the player New Orleans wants lands on their lap.
So, it will be a matter of playing the waiting game, so to speak.
Saints Trade Idea Sees Them Moving Up in 2026 NFL Draft