The New Orleans Saints are finally turning the corner as a franchise. Not only are they getting into a future where they won't be hamstrung by the cap, but they've found their Drew Brees successor in Tyler Shough.
While there's still a lot of work to do, things are looking up. And after Day 1 of free agency, where the Saints added Travis Etienne Jr. and David Edwards, the promise of the roster is looking greater than ever.
But now, the Saints have a big decision to make at eighth overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. ESPN's Field Yates is predicting that the Saints, in his latest mock draft, will take Ohio State NFL combine standout Sonny Styles as a Demario Davis replacement.
Saints predicted to draft Sonny Styles at No. 8 overall
"Longtime starter Demario Davis reunited with the Jets in free agency, and his reliability and durability will be missed in New Orleans," Yates writes. "He started at least 16 games in all of his eight seasons with the Saints, who can now turn to one of the most distinctive players in the class in Stylers."
Drafting Styles at No. 8 overall is now much more in play than it's ever been for the Saints. They signed a running and offensive guard, taking Jeremiyah Love and an offensive lineman off the board for the Saints in Round 1.
While they could take a player like Carnell Tate or another top wide receiver, in this mock draft from Yates, the Saints are taking Styles to replace Davis.
Styles, at 6-foot-5, 244 pounds, ran a ridiculous 4.46 40-yard-dash, had a 43 1/2-inch vertical jump (highest by a LB at NFL combine since 2003), and an 11-foot-2 broad jump in an all-around standout performance at the combine.
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That showcase, along with his production for Ohio State, especially in the college football playoffs, has Styles ascending boards this spring.
If the Saints, who just lost Davis to the Jets on a $22 million two-year deal, were to take Styles at eighth overall, no one would bat an eye.
While linebacker might not be a premium position, the ceiling of Styles, if he works out, is so appealing that taking him at eighth overall might be good value for the Saints.
This would be a very fun addition for the Saints, as they could replace Davis with one of the more exciting prospects in recent NFL Draft history at the linebacker position.
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