Why 2026 NFL Draft is Saints best way to land a new WR to pair with Chris Olave

The New Orleans Saints came into the 2026 NFL offseason with a clear goal of improving the roster around sophomore quarterback Tyler Shough.

Through the first two weeks of the offseason, they've done a good job, signing David Edwards to be their new left guard and Travis Etienne Jr. to be their new lead running back. But that's not all the Saints need. They need another wide receiver.

While the Saints need a WR2 to pair with Chris Olave, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox makes the point that, instead of free agency or the trade market, the Saints' best option to land a new WR will be in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Saints' best option to land a new WR is 2026 NFL Draft

"At this point in the offseason, the best option for many teams will be to focus on next month's draft," Knox writes.

While there are still some interesting free agent wide receivers, like Jauan Jennings, Tyreek Hill, and Stefon Diggs, the best option for the Saints at wide receiver will be in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Picking eighth overall, the Saints will very likely get one of the top receivers to make it to their pick. Ohio State's Carnell Tate, USC's Makai Lemon, and Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson are all top-tier WRs in this year's draft.

While a team like the Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, or Washington Commanders might go a WR ahead of the Saints, there's a good chance that one of those three will make it to them at eighth overall.

After those three, Indiana's Omar Cooper Jr. and Texas A&M's KC Concepcion are both options who would be good trade-down options, or sprint-to-the-podium options if they somehow made it to the 43rd overall pick.

More: Saints are predicted to draft Sonny Styles eighth overall

Also, options in Round 2 for the Saints are Washington's Denzel Boston, Louisville's Chris Bell, Alabama's Germie Bernard, and Tennessee's Chris Brazzell II.

In Round 3 and further down the board, there are plenty of interesting options like Georgia's Zachariah Branch, Connecticut's Skyler Bell, North Dakota State's Bryce Lance, Indiana's Elijah Sarratt, Oklahoma's Deion Burks, and Georgia State's Ted Hurst.

Clemson's Antonio Williams and Notre Dame's Malachi Fields are also interesting options, rounding out 17 possible options in the first three rounds for the Saints.

There are also plenty of interesting names down the board, but the local LSU options in Aaron Anderson, Zavion Thomas, Chris Hilton Jr., and Barion Brown are all late-round picks or UDFA targets.

But whichever round the Saints choose, there should be solid wide receiver options available at their pick. It's a good time to need WR help, and for the Saints, the NFL Draft is a prime opportunity to land a new WR to help Shough and pair with Olave.

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