Saints Mock Draft: Bailey & Branch

0:00On April 2nd, St. Span's mock-dress are lighting up for the 2026 NFL draft coming this April. After losing veteran edge-rusher Cameron Jordan to free agency, New Orleans needs help a wide receiver and pass rush. With Crystal Lava holding it down, they crave more weapons and one top projection hits both spots in the first two rounds. ESPN draft guru Matt Miller laid out a full seven-round mock, sliding Texas Tech's David Bailey to the Saints early, around pick eight. This dude balled out with 23 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks last season thanks to his explosive first step in non-stop. Motor. Heat slide right into Brandon Staley's defense, backing up Chase Young and Carl Granderson. Bailey's name keeps popping up for New Orleans, but he might not drop that far. Folks think Miami's Rubin Bain Jr. could be the realistic snag instead, given his size and measurables. If Bailey's available though, the Saints might skip wide-out or cornerback to grab that value.

1:01Meanwhile, Miller sends Georgia White receiver Zachariah Branch their way in round two. The speeds are transferred from USC and flash big potential, even if he hasn't matched the first round buzz from earlier. He'd give Lava a dynamic partner and boost the passing game, Saints built momentum from last year's solid class, and these mock signals they could crush it again, stacking talent where it counts. This has been NFL News today, powered by AI.