Entering the 2026 offseason, the New Orleans Saints are a team with high hopes for next season after finishing strong.
In 2025, Tyler Shough looked like the best QB the team has had since Drew Brees’ retirement, HC Kellen Moore had a really good end to the season and kept the team motivated throughout some tough times, DC Brandon Staley had the defense playing at a high level, and players throughout the team outperformed expectations.
Still, the Saints’ roster is nowhere near ready to take that next step hoped for next season, and with finally some fairly healthy cap space, New Orleans will be able to improve many aspects of the roster. Throughout this article, I will talk about different players the Saints could bring in to get that done.
But we first have to go through potential departures from the team this offseason.
Trade Away/Cut Candidates for the New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr
Although Derek Carr is not currently on the roster, rumors have been swirling throughout the NFL that his return is imminent, which would likely make him a trade candidate. The Saints will have him under contract if he returns, and they could get a fourth-round pick for the veteran QB.
Cesar Ruiz
Looking at the roster, the Saints’ top need is interior offensive line, so it is a bit confusing why Cesar Ruiz is on this list. Well, he hasn’t had the most consistent time in New Orleans, and in 2025, his fit in the offense wasn’t great. Being a former first-round pick, he should have been able to help the Saints’ interior issues and secure the RG position, but that’s not what happened.
Per PFSN NFL Player Offensive Line Impact Metrics, Ruiz was ranked 42nd among all guards in the NFL, and he had the worst impact score of his career at 73.1. There should be suitors for Ruiz, who is 26, teams in need of offensive linemen, and a good contract in today’s NFL.
Pete Werner
Pete Werner has also had an inconsistent time with the Saints. At one point, Werner was an excellent linebacker who played well alongside Demario Davis, but injuries began to pile up, and this past season may have been one of his worst. Opposing defenses would run toward him because he was unable to get away from blocks to stop the run.
There were times when Werner’s big-play ability showed up, giving the defense momentum, but that was rare. The longer the season went on, the more snaps were taken away from Werner and given to the younger linebackers, Danny Stutsman and Isaiah Stalbird. Some teams out there may be interested in Werner.
Free Agent Targets
Travis Etienne, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Saints’ run game last season was abysmal. Interior offensive line issues led to poor run blocking, and the RBs struggled as a result. There is a very good chance the Saints look for a new RB1 this offseason and potentially move on from Alvin Kamara, and Travis Etienne could be his replacement. The 27-year-old is a bit of a boom-or-bust runner, but Moore talked all season about missing that home run hitter in the RB room, and Etienne is that.
Signing the former Jacksonville Jaguars RB is going to be costly, probably around $10M annually, but if the Saints believe he is their RB1 for the coming season, then they will make it happen.
David Edwards, OL, Buffalo Bills
Speaking of those interior offensive line issues, the Saints will find a new starting LG this offseason, and the top choice would be David Edwards. He will be very expensive at around $20 million per year, but the Saints need that type of stability. Edwards is an excellent pass blocker, and although his run blocking is not to the same level, it is still good.
Boye Mafe, EDGE/OLB, Seattle Seahawks
Cam Jordan, the Saints’ legendary EDGE, is set to hit the open market, and if the two sides cannot come up with a deal by the start of the new league year, it would be a near guarantee that he is gone. This would be a massive hit to an already volatile EDGE group, and although selecting one somewhere in the draft is needed, a free agent must be added first, and that’s Boye Mafe.
Having experience in a 3-4 scheme, Mafe is the perfect OLB/EDGE to put opposite of Chase Young. He is a really good run defender, and although his pass-rush production dropped in 2025, that was because of the Seattle Seahawks’ stacked defensive line. Adding Mafe also allows you to add another starting EDGE.
Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
The Last free agent that would make too much sense for the Saints to target is TE Dallas Goedert. Although Juwan Johnson, who was just paid last offseason, had a really good year, the Saints should look to add another TE to partner with Johnson. Goedert should not be too expensive and has a history in Moore’s offense.
3-Round Saints Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 8) Caleb Downs, Ohio State | S
At pick 8, the Saints could go in a couple of different directions. All three WRs were available in this scenario, and it was tempting, but New Orleans could get a great one at 42, and a defensive star is still available.
S Caleb Downs is one of the best players in the draft and would be a game-changing force on Brandon Staley’s defense. He would fit that slot corner role after Alontae Taylor’s departure, and he is a long-term option at safety. Downs’ versatility is something the Saints should value, and if that knee injury rumor turns out to be just that, then Downs is a likely selection at 8.
Round 2, Pick 42) Germie Bernard, Alabama | WR
As I mentioned, WRs were going to be available at 42, and Germie Bernard would be a really fun pick for New Orleans. Bernard was WR2 on Alabama’s offense last year, but whenever the offense needed him to step up, he got it done. Bernard is versatile in the offense, great with the ball in his hands, can be a really fun gadget player in Moore’s offense, and is someone any QB could rely upon whenever needed.
Round 3, Pick 73) Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech | OG
Even if Ruiz does stay on the team, New Orleans should still look to add a young/long-term option at RG, and here, that is Keylan Rutledge. The Georgia Tech guard is a very strong offensive lineman with a life goal of demolishing every defensive player he blocks. He is good in both pass and run blocking, and Rutledge has the athleticism that New Orleans would like. Also, Rutledge was a Senior Bowl standout, which the Saints value highly.
New Orleans’ Interesting Decision at RB
In the offseason plan, I had the Saints targeting Etienne as the new RB1 and mentioned Kamara’s future with the team. Just recently, the Saints did their usual cap gymnastics, using an interesting rule that allows them to free up money from Kamara’s contract while also letting them move on from him if need be. The fact that they did that move, which is definitely not normal for them, is interesting.
In 2025, Kamara dealt with injuries throughout the season, which could have affected his play, but there’s also a chance his play is on the decline. The only thing that can be proven is whether Kamara bounces back (or doesn’t) next season. Should the Saints bank on it?
Even with Kamara being a Saints great and a potential hope, he could bounce back; it’s too risky to rely on him next season. Even if he does play like his old self, injuries are now also going to be a worry, and he’s going to turn 31 before the start of the season. That’s where Etienne would then take over those snaps.
The other scenario is the Saints drafting Jeremiyah Love at 8. Now, that depends on Love being there, but if he is, it’s going to be hard for New Orleans to pass him up, even if they sign Etienne. That’s going to be an expensive backfield, but Love and Etienne would complement each other really well, and the Saints would have one of the best running games in the NFL. In this scenario, which could happen, Kamara would likely no longer be on the team.
The Upgraded 2026 Saints
If all of the Saints’ free agent targets sign with the team and the first three rounds of the NFL Draft go exactly as listed above, New Orleans should be the favorite in the NFC South. For the offense, the running game is completely fixed with the additions of Edwards, Etienne, and Rutledge. Also, with those offensive line upgrades, pass blocking will be better.
For the passing game, Bernard and Goedert would be big improvements over what the Saints currently have, and they would even upgrade this team’s blocking. Overall, these offensive additions will make Shough and Moore’s lives much easier in 2026.
Although most of the focus in this offseason plan was on the offense, the Saints’ defense was still improved. New Orleans should still look to add an LB, DT, and/or another EDGE, but based on the players I discussed, it was enough to address departures and upgrade going into 2026.
Downs will be a versatile chess piece for Staley to use in this defense, and at least, he can be Taylor’s replacement in the slot. Again, the knee injury rumor is a worry, but if the Saints do not see an issue, he will be one of the best players on New Orleans’ defense right away. Mafe would then improve the Saints’ run defense and pass rush, even with Jordan’s departure in free agency.
Again, some work would still need to be done on defense, but this offseason plan for the Saints would fix nearly every need the team has and put New Orleans in pole position to make the playoffs next season.
