The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, but the demand for content marches on, and some attention is already going towards the 2027 draft. So who are New Orleans Saints picking in next year’s event? It’s a fool’s errand to try and predict that so far out, but gathering a list of names and prospects who should be on the Saints’ radar does give us a promising watch list for the upcoming college football season.
Most mock drafts use the reversed Super Bowl odds, which puts the Saints picking between seventh and ninth overall. And because of that high placement, there’s already an early consensus emerging on which players may fit what New Orleans is looking for. A 2026 draft class (and whole offseason, really) invested heavy resources in head coach Kellen Moore’s offense in a bid to see what second-year quarterback Tyler Shough is made of. In 2027, those in the know expect the Saints to pour resources into the defense and give coordinator Brandon Staley some real firepower to work with.
USA TODAY: Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
“A Saints defense in transition is overdue for the youth movement that’s helped reinvigorate the offense. Simmons has quickly established himself as one of college football’s premier pass rushers after compiling 21 sacks in his first two years. He could be a cornerstone for a unit that was long propped up by Cameron Jordan.”
The Athletic: Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
“The SEC sacks leader in 2025, Simmons announced himself as a future first-round pick as soon as he set foot in Austin two years ago. His burst and body control are outstanding, especially at his size (6-3, 245).”
Fox Sports: Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
“A Thorpe Award finalist and All-American as a true sophomore, Moore has the size, easy movement skills and instincts NFL teams are looking for at cornerback. Had he been eligible for the 2026 draft, he would have heard his name called in the first round.”
Pro Football Focus: Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
Similar to Leonard Moore, Simmons would have been in the mix near the top of the 2025 class alongside David Bailey and Arvell Reese. The undersized but remarkably explosive edge defender led the SEC in pressures (59) last season and earned a 91.7 PFF pass-rushing grade as a sophomore.”
Sports Illustrated: Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
“The Saints were among several teams that figured to tap into the pass-rushing market in the 2026 class, but they didn’t draft an edge defender. Simmons has been one of college football’s most disruptive pass rushers since his freshman year in 2024, and he took another step forward in ’25. Though he’s on the lighter side at 6′ 3″ and 240 pounds, Simmons is ultra athletic and explosive with elite burst. He had 12 sacks, 15 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles last season, and is headed for another big year in ’26.”
Bleacher Report: Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina
“Dylan Stewart is a superb athlete with elite first-step quickness, bend and pass-rush ability. He is a terror off the edge for poor tackles left alone on an island to fend for themselves.
Stewart defends the run well and plays with a high motor. He is a game-changing edge prospect who will likely grade among the best pass rushers over the last decade. Opposing offenses enter their matchup with the mindset to find No. 6 on every snap.
The New Orleans Saints drafted multiple weapons to fill out the Tyler Shough’s supporting cast. Meanwhile, Cameron Jordan has been the face of the team’s defense for a decade-plus, yet the organization still hasn’t found his long-term replacement. Stewart is the answer. He will immediately pair with Chase Young and create a dynamic, explosive edge-rush combo to terrorize opposing offensive lines.
This selection pushes New Orleans closer to its ceiling in the NFL’s weakest division.”
CBS Sports: Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina
“One of the most explosive pass rushers in the country over the past two seasons, Stewart’s production doesn’t fully capture his impact. With a long, wiry frame and excellent length, he covers ground quickly, flashing elite speed, bend and occasional power that make him difficult to contain off the edge. While his down-to-down consistency remains an area for improvement, the former five-star offers the kind of upside teams bet on early.”
The Sporting News: Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
“The Saints will be in the market more for edge rush help, too, but it will be tough to pass up this big corner with shutdown potential, the early Mansoor Delane of this class.”
Athlon Sports: Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina
“It looks like the Cameron Jordan era is over in New Orleans, so they’ll be on the lookout for the next generation of productive pass rusher in next year’s draft. Stewart is an absolute menace off the edge and could end up being a steal if he doesn’t go in the top five.”
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2027 NFL Draft: Who are Saints picking in way-too-early mock drafts?