B-
New Orleans Saints
More right than wrong for the Saints, and a B- to prove it.
by Christeca ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 4 steals
· 0 reaches
The pick that carries the class is Jalon Kilgore, a cornerback the Saints were happy to stop sliding in the Round 4 slot. Patience, rewarded. A dependable weekend that grades out a B-.
They will regret leaving running back for another day if the season turns on it. On the needs board they went 7 of 8, with edge rusher the one that mattered most.
They reloaded the coverage unit in bulk.
All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but running back.
Pick-by-Pick
In slot 8 they get a two-high chess piece. More want than need.
By-the-book stuff, Joshua Josephs at the 42nd pick squarely in line with his ranking. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Nothing to complain about; Dontay Corleone went a shade earlier than his grade, which is fine. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
They stopped a slide they were happy to see, landing Parker Brailsford in No. 132. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Jalon Kilgore is a better player than pick No. 136 suggests; smart patience, rewarded. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Drew Allar in the Round 5 slot is exactly on the number, no argument either way. It fills a real need, too.
A tidy bit of business in the 172nd overall pick, where Reggie Virgil graded well above the range. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Quietly one of the better values of the day, Dae'Quan Wright at pick No. 190. The roster fit checks out.