In the many years of the New Orleans Saints' operations being run by general manager Mickey Loomis, they have generally opted to be a team that trades up during the NFL draft. With a clear desire to get the best player they possibly can on their board, trading up is their tool to do so, even if it comes at the cost of losing out on more swings in the latter rounds or even future years.
2026 may be a similar scenario, as multiple teams are looking to trade down out of the top five picks, and in a class that is extremely top-heavy, the Saints could view Arvell Reese and David Bailey as long-term difference-makers. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network recently discussed what he had been hearing regarding trades, and that included the Saints as a trade-up candidate.
"Then things get interesting at three and four, with the Cardinals and the Titans, both teams, from my understanding, are open to trading, and there are other teams in the top 10 that have at least checked in on what it would take to move up. The Saints, who are at eight, are interested in moving up in the draft, the Chiefs at nine. Could that be for Arvell Reese, if he's not the No. 2 overall pick? Could that be for the top offensive tackle? Those would both make sense for those teams."
If the Saints are moving up that far, odds are it is for Reese or Bailey and not an offensive tackle in this class. New Orleans could use a future pairing off the edge alongside Chase Young, who is coming off a career year and extension. Adding a player like Bailey would make for a truly dominant pass rush for the next three to five years, and then the run defense could be a heavy focus for the remaining picks as they build up the front three.
Reese would be the upside pick of the two, focusing more on four-down play but with a lower potential floor if things don't pan out. If they do, though, the Saints wouldn't have to worry about either edge spot until one of their contracts were up, as he has great explosiveness and is rapidly trending towards being a quality pass rusher. With some good coaching on pass-rush moves, he may be the top player from this class.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Saints 'interested in moving up' from 8th overall pick
