The 2026 NFL draft begins April 23 in Pittsburgh, where the New Orleans Saints will pick at No. 8 in Round 1. The draft continues with Rounds 2 to 3 on April 24 and Rounds 4 through 7 on April 25 (ESPN, ABC and ESPN the app).

The Saints have eight total picks: Nos. 8, 42, 73, 132, 136, 150, 172 and 190. But how will they use them? Which positions need to be addressed? Which prospects are coming in for visits and getting buzz with the New Orleans front office and coaching staff?

Saints reporter Katherine Terrell has the latest intel on the team's draft plans, potential targets and more in the lead-up to the draft. We will update this page right up until Round 1 begins.

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Thursday, April 16: ESPN and NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said he kept going back to two players for the Saints at No. 8 in his predraft conference call.

Jeremiah said defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson are two players he could see fit with New Orleans.

Jeremiah liked Bain's attitude and ability to be moved around and said Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley would like how hard Bain plays.

If the Saints go offense, he said that a wide receiver makes a lot of sense due to having a young quarterback in Tyler Shough. Jeremiah said Carnell Tate might not be available at No. 8, and Tyson would make sense in that spot.

Jeremiah said Tyson's injury history shouldn't be a concern because recent risks have panned out. Shough had multiple injuries in college before he was drafted by the Saints.

"He's a really, really good player. He's a dynamic, explosive athlete. And you think about him and Chris Olave there, the only knock being the durability. Well, they just picked a player last year that had the same concerns and it worked out for them. So I could see them going down that road," Jeremiah said.

April 10: The Saints have been linked to a number of wide receivers during the predraft process, but Louisville wideout Chris Bell has one important person in his corner -- former teammate and current Saints quarterback Tyler Shough.

Bell said he went to dinner with Shough and spent time at his house during a visit with the team this spring. Bell told reporters at Louisville's pro day that Shough has been advocating for him. "He told me that he wants me so bad that he's been pushing my name. So, hopefully. Hopefully [that happens]," Bell said.

Bell, who tore an ACL in December, said doctors expect him to be back by training camp.