Things have gotten sideways for the New Orleans Saints. And there’s talk of a coaching staff shakeup. But there’s always 2027 to look forward to, and here is the Saints' seven-round NFL Draft, according to the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator during their bye week.
Despite being in a lousy division, the Saints are buried in a last-place tie with the Buccaneers. They are two games behind the front-running Panthers in the loss column. So what kind of help could they get in next year’s draft?
Round 1, Pick 6: EDGE Dylan Stewart, South Carolina
A blisteringly fast first step is what pushes Stewart up the draft boards, according to Pro Football Focus.
“He gets off the snap in blistering fashion, putting offensive tackles under immediate pressure to gain enough depth to protect their outside,” Daire Carragher wrote. “When Stewart puts his hand in the dirt from wider alignments, getting out to meet him in time becomes a particularly difficult assignment. In many of Stewart’s pass-rushing wins, he often has the edge before either player has made contact.
“Stewart has truly freakish bend for his size. At 6-foot-5, Stewart can get underneath a tackle’s outside shoulder and work back toward the quarterback without being carried harmlessly beyond the pocket or pushed off line. Very few college pass-rushers can take such a tight path around the edge while maintaining their balance and speed.”
As for improvements, he needs to be less reliant on raw physical ability. Also, he could be better against the run. Stewart’s most recent accomplishment came on his fourth-quarter forced fumble that helped the Gamecocks upset Tennessee.
Round 2, Pick 37: DL A'Mauri Washington, Oregon
This would be a steal for the Saints, as Washington is currently projected as a first-round selection. Maybe even going in the middle of the first round.
He’s 330 pounds and can stuff the middle against the run, according to NFL Draft Buzz.
“Washington … moves better than the listed weight suggests, resetting the line against single blocks, splitting doubles with leverage and holding the point,” NFL Draft Buzz wrote. “However, the pass rush is more potential than production. Two sacks is a modest total for the burst, the plan leans on power without a counter, and he missed eight tackles with range that thins to the perimeter.
“Overall, Washington is a scheme-versatile, two-gap nose who wins the early-down battle, with a burst-and-anchor trait set at this weight that reads first-round even before the rush fills in. He projects as a starting nose or heavy three-technique, with the ceiling climbing on rush development and the floor of a trusted run-down cornerstone.”
Round 3, Pick 68: WR Deuce Alexander, Mississippi
A player on the upswing, Alexander could make a solid impact at the next level, according to Sports Illustrated.
“I think he’s an elite player,” Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding said. “(And) I would think the last (player) that I kind of was on a team with that he reminds me of was Jamo — Williams from Alabama (Jameson Williams). I think he’s got elite top-end speed (and) really good acceleration.
“When he sticks his foot in the ground, he can go score. I think more guys are going to know where (number) one is. And I think that’s going to cause some people problems for box counts that’s going to open up some other things in the run game. He’s a really good player.”
ESPN analyst Jordan Reid put Alexander as the No. 36 overall prospect.
Round 4, Pick 105: OT Trevor Lauck, Iowa
There is early round potential for the 6-foot-5, 314-pound Lauck, according to Pro Football Network.
“Tall, high-cut, and barrel-chested, Lauck's prime physical traits are his explosive athleticism, lower-body power, and raw core strength,” PFN wrote. “He fires off the line and can cover ground swiftly in the run game, and with his power drive, he can plow through defenders and finish into the turf. He's not just a linear brawler, however; Lauck also shows off elite angle IQ, and can stack blocks while climbing to seal out lanes successively.
“In pass protection, Lauck is fleet-footed, patient, and disciplined, with a vast hand arsenal that includes feigned swats, circle punches, and pillar fits, all of which he can apply with a keen situational intelligence. Lauck is still learning how to process and respond to more complex stunts … He lacks great knee bend and can drift taller and more upright the longer reps drag on. He can also shorten the corner working on an island, without the elite hip flexibility to compensate as an apex sealer.”
Article Continues BelowRound 5, Pick 144: CB Chris Peal, Syracuse
There’s a pathway for Peal to have a shot at the next level. He has prototypical size and length, according to draftcountdown.com.
“At a legitimate 6’1″ and 200 pounds, Peal possesses the ideal frame that NFL defensive coordinators covet on the boundary,” Brian Bosarge wrote. “He has the length to disrupt receivers in press-man coverage, and contest passes at the catch point.
“His high school background as a prolific running back translates perfectly to his movement skills. He flips his hips fluidly, possesses excellent straight-line burst, and accelerates to carry vertical routes down the sideline.”
Also, Peal shows good physical tackling skills for a cornerback. That’s always welcome in the NFL.
Round 6, Pick 181: S Earl Little Jr., Ohio State
The physicality brings Little into the NFL’s focus, according to NFL Draft Buzz.
“Little is a rangy, physical safety with real ball production, snaring four interceptions and forcing two fumbles as Florida State's defensive MVP before transferring to Ohio State for 2026,” NFL Draft Buzz wrote. “Overall, Little is a versatile, hard-hitting safety whose range and takeaways are the draw, with the thin body of starting work the caveat. He projects as a developmental starter at free safety or nickel, with the ceiling of a solid NFL starter if the tape holds and the floor of a rotational, physical special-teamer.”