Saints May Skip Top WR, Focus on Defense

0:00It's April 22nd. You're listening to NFL News today. AI-powered NFL coverage. The New Orleans Saints have been buzzing with talk of grabbing a top 10-wide receiver at the 8th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but that plan might be cooling off fast. NFL Draft in Satter Tony Pauline says the team could skip a receiver and round one altogether, thanks to their star Chris Olabe and his upcoming contract, extension. They already picked Olabe's 5th year option, keeping him locked in for his final rookie year, and word from free agency is they won't splash big. Cash or stack assets ed wide out with that deal looming. Instead, they're eyeing defensive upgrades like a defensive end or cornerback early on, since this draft class is loaded with receivers later. Fans and analysts are reacting to how this fits the Saints' cap crunch recovery. They balance the book smartly these past off-seasons. Head coach Kellyn Moore called extension talks with Olabe productive,

1:00so expect a big payday there unless things go sideways. New buzz points to day two gems like Louisville's Chris Bell, a college buddy of quarterback Tyler Show, plus names like Tennessee's Chris Brazil. The second, Georgia's Zachariah Branch, Georgia's state's Ted Hurst, and Oklahoma's Dion Berks. Rookie Slats make it cheap, a mid-round guy at pick 42 costs, just 11.9 million over four years, about 2.9 million A. Year versus 32.9 million fully guaranteed for pick 8. This pivot keeps the Saints flexible, prioritizing defense up top while building receiver depth without breaking the bank, setting them up strong for the long game.