Insider reveals dark-horse contender to move up for Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese

With the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft one day away, an unexpected team could potentially make a major splash.

ESPN NFL insider Peter Schrager published his annual mock draft on Wednesday, and it contained an interesting nugget when he wrote about the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3.

With Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza and Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive end David Bailey off the board, Schrager has the Cardinals passing on Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese to take Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love. 

However, Schrager leads his blurb by noting that "this could be a trade-down spot," mentioning the Kansas City Chiefs, a team many have speculated could trade up considering their two first-round picks, and another that has gotten much less attention.

"Teams like the Chiefs and [New Orleans] Saints could have interest in getting in position to take Reese," Schrager writes.

The Saints are a dark-horse contender for a massive trade-up in the 2026 NFL Draft

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis is no stranger to a draft-day trade, including in 2022, when he traded up for wide receiver Chris Olave. In 2018, New Orleans sent two firsts and a fifth to the Green Bay Packers to move up 13 spots in Round 1, selecting defensive end Marcus Davenport at No. 14. The Saints also moved back into the first round in 2011 by sending a 2011 second and 2012 first to the New England Patriots to add running back Mark Ingram II.

Per NFL IQ, the Saints, who first pick at No. 8 overall, rank 10th in 2026 NFL Draft capital with eight total selections. New Orleans also has its second (No. 42), third (No. 73), two fourths (Nos. 132, 136), two fifths (Nos. 150, 172) and a sixth (No. 190).

But to move up to third overall, the Saints would almost certainly have to part with a future first. In 2023, the Houston Texans moved up nine spots — from No. 12 to No. 3 — by sending a 2023 second as well as future first- and third-round picks to the Cardinals. Last year, the Jaguars were forced to deal their 2026 first for a modest three-spot leap from No. 5 to No. 2 in a trade with the Cleveland Browns.

While New Orleans finished 2025 on a high note, going 4-1 over its last five games, that kind of trade would represent a major risk for a team that might be better off not sacrificing future draft capital.

Reese very well may be the best defender in the 2026 class, and his ability to play as an off-ball linebacker as well as edge-rusher gives him immense value. If he falls to No. 3, it makes sense why the Saints would be tempted to pull off a trade. But that would mean neglecting wide receiver, another area of need, at No. 8, while also putting more pressure on the team this season.

If second-year quarterback Tyler Shough fails to take the next step in his development or, worse yet, declines, New Orleans' 2027 first may be extremely valuable.

A blockbuster move to grab Reese would show what kind of faith the Saints front office has in Shough and head coach Kellen Moore to bring the organization back to the playoffs for the first time since 2020, Drew Brees' final season as starting quarterback. But it's too soon for such an aggressive play. Rather than mortgage its future, New Orleans should opt for a more natural build.