Andrew Buller-Russ
Last year, the New Orleans Saints believe they found their franchise quarterback by selecting Tyler Shough in the second round. This time, the 2026 NFL Draft presents an opportunity to supplement Shough with more weapons to help him succeed, or possibly help boost a Brandon Staley-led defense that respectfully ranked 16th in points allowed. In a perfect world, the Saints will accomplish both.
While the Saints have a total of eight selections in the three-day event, all eyes are focused on what New Orleans will do with the eighth overall pick. Whether it’s a receiver, a pass-rusher, or someone else, it’s clear that the Saints will have a chance to add a blue-chip talent.
Recently, ESPN’s Matt Bowen identified the perfect fit for the top-20 prospects. While doing so, he identified star pass-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. as the ideal fit for the Saints.
“There’s a need here to add a pass rusher in New Orleans, as veteran Cameron Jordan is still a free agent. Plus it’s an opportunity for coordinator Brandon Staley to add a potential game-wrecker for his defense. With Bain’s ability to turn the corner, he can be schemed out of loaded fronts to get one-on-one pass-rush matchups. His power at the point of attack means he can also be flipped inside in nickel fronts. And he is stout on the edge versus the run game (54 tackles on designed rushes in 2025). Simply put, there’s a sense of ruggedness to Bain’s game that should translate to the pro level. And he put up his best tape when everyone was watching, totaling five sacks during the College Football Playoff.”
ESPN’s Matt Bowen on Rueben Bain/Saints
Of course, there’s no guarantee that Bain, who’s viewed as a potential top-five pick, will still be available when the Saints are on the clock. Though, there’s little doubt that Bain could provide the pass-rush spark New Orleans desperately needs, especially with Cameron Jordan still unsigned in free agency.
Bain is an uber-athletic edge rusher with an elite ability to bend, out-leveraging opponents. But he’s not just Gumby out on the edge; he’s also proven to be an effective run-stopper despite having shorter arms. He’ll be an impact player on all three downs, and he’s exactly the type of player that the Saints should consider at No. 8, if he’s still available.
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