The New Orleans Saints, coming into the NFL offseason, had a few players hitting the free agency market that would have a big impact on their long-term plans. Cameron Jordan, Alontae Taylor, Demario Davis, and Taysom Hill all hit the open market.
Taylor and Davis signed elsewhere, Hill is contemplating retirement, and Jordan might head elsewhere. After signing Kaden Elliss, the Saints now need to shift gears to the cornerback and defensive end rooms.
That's why, in ESPN's Field Yates' latest mock draft, a two-rounder, he has the Saints passing on a wide receiver in Round 1 and 2 to instead land a replacement for Taylor and Jordan on defense with two very fun pickups at No. 8 and No. 42.
Saints predicted to draft DE, CB in ESPN mock draft
At eighth overall, with Carnell Tate off the board, going to the Cleveland Browns a few picks ahead of them in this mock draft, Yates has the Saints taking Miami defensive end Ruben Bain Jr.
"Regardless of whether Jordan returns, the Saints need to be mindful of adding youth to their pass-rush group," Yates writes. "Bain has hands of destruction that allow him to be a forceful rusher and tenacious run defender."
After selecting Bain, the Miami defensive end who is an incredibly intriguing prospect despite his concerning short arms (30 7/8-inchs), the Saints have to wait until the 42nd overall pick for their next selection.
With that second-round pick, Yates is predicting that the Saints will draft San Diego State's Chris Johnson. While he's fast, he's not Tennessee Titans Chris Johnson fast. But that doesn't mean the 2026 NFL Draft prospect with the same name isn't a fun pick.
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"With Alontae Taylor now in Tennessee, the Saints have a hole at cornerback to address," Yates writes. "Johnson was an opportunistic playmaker at San Diego State and has excellent ball skills and reactive athletic movements. He blazed a 4.40 in the 40 at the combine as well," Yates writes.
Johnson had a strong 2025 season for the Aztecs. He didn't allow a touchdown all season, and had four interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns, while allowing a ridiculous 16.1 passer rating according to Pro Football Focus.
With a need at cornerback, the Saints could take LSU's Mansoor Delane in the first round. But, going with Bain 8th overall, and getting Johnson in Round 2 would be an incredible first two rounds for the Saints in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
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