The New Orleans Saints are heading into a pivotal offseason, and all signs point to a major focus on retooling the offense around quarterback Tyler Shough. But while wide receiver, tight end, running back, and offensive line are all on the table - especially with the 8th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft - don’t be surprised if the Saints pivot to the other side of the ball.
If they do, there’s one position group that stands out: defensive end. And with good reason.
Veteran pass rusher Cameron Jordan has been the heart and soul of this Saints defense for over a decade and a half. But at 16 seasons in, the end of the road is in sight - whether that’s this offseason or the next.
Even if Jordan returns for one more year, New Orleans has to start thinking about life after No. 94.
And that means finding a successor who can line up opposite Chase Young and Carl Granderson and keep the pressure coming off the edge.
It’s not just about replacing Jordan’s production - it’s about maintaining the identity of a defense that has long relied on a dominant front four.
Taking an off-ball linebacker at No. 8?
That’s a tough sell in most drafts, and this year doesn’t appear to have that can’t-miss star at the position. So while Demario Davis’ long-term replacement is something the team will eventually have to address, it’s unlikely to happen this early in the draft.
Pass rusher, on the other hand, is a different story. This class has some serious edge talent, and the Saints could be in a prime position to grab one of the top names - if the board breaks their way.
Ohio State’s Arvell Reese is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft, and his blend of size, speed, and motor could make him a top-5 pick. If he slips to No. 8, it’d be a gift. But that’s a big “if.”
Ruben Bain from Miami and David Bailey out of Texas Tech are two more names to keep an eye on. Both bring explosive pass-rushing ability and the kind of upside that could make them immediate impact players on the edge.
The challenge? Other teams ahead of the Saints might be thinking the same thing.
If Reese, Bain, and Bailey are all off the board by the time New Orleans is on the clock, the next tier includes Kendrick Faulk from Auburn and Miami’s Akheem Mesidor - both solid prospects, though perhaps not the kind of blue-chip edge rushers you want to spend a top-10 pick on unless you’re fully sold.
That’s where things get interesting. If the top three pass rushers are gone, the Saints could very well shift their attention back to the offensive side. A dynamic wide receiver or a plug-and-play offensive lineman could be just as valuable in helping Shough take the next step.
Still, if one of those top-tier edge rushers falls to them, it’s hard to imagine New Orleans passing on the chance to draft the next face of their defensive front. Cameron Jordan has set the standard - now it’s time to find the player who can carry that torch into the next era.
Either way, the Saints are in a position to land a difference-maker at No. 8. The question is whether that playmaker will be helping Shough light up the scoreboard - or chasing down quarterbacks on the other side.