Saints’ perfect 2026 NFL Draft trade

Here are the hypothetical trade terms before getting started:

Saints receive

• 2026 first-round pick (32nd overall)
• 2027 sixth-round pick

Seahawks receive

• RB Alvin Kamara
• 2026 second-round pick (42nd overall)
• 2026 fifth-round pick (172nd overall)

The Saints need to upgrade most positions on the roster, so gaining more first-round picks is certainly a good move.

There is reason to suspect that Kamara’s time in New Orleans could soon be up. New Orleans brought in Travis Etienne Jr. during NFL free agency. He projects as the team’s starting running back over the next few seasons. So where does that leave Kamara?

Kamara is on the final year of his contract with a cap hit of $10.51 million. But due to the structure of his contract, any team acquiring him via trade would only take on $1.35 million in 2026. That makes him extremely tradable.

Seattle jumps out as the team that could be most interested in Kamara. Zach Charbonnet is their top back, but he’s recovering from a significant knee injury suffered during the playoffs. His availability for Week 1 is a complete unknown. As such, a veteran back like Kamara could be an enticing one-year bandaid at the position.

In this scenario, the Seahawks only move down 10 spots while gaining Kamara and an additional draft pick in 2026. That’s important, because Seattle enters the draft with just four total selections.

Meanwhile, the Saints would pay a relatively small price to move back into the bottom of the first round.

This trade could easily make both teams better.

Who could New Orleans pick at 32nd overall?

If the Saints made that trade, which prospects could they land at the bottom of the first round?

The 2026 draft class does not have many superstar players, but it does have a lot of depth. New Orleans would be able to add one of several talented prospects at 32.

Realistically, the Saints should be comfortable taking the best player available at that position. Both offensive and defensive prospects should be firmly in play. Here are some of the prospects who could be the most enticing for New Orleans.

Jordyn Tyson is receiving a lot of hype lately, which has taken the spotlight away from receiver Denzel Boston (Washington). The former Husky is a prototypical X receiver who has a big frame and excellent ball skills. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein even gave him a pro comp to Puka Nacua. If the Saints did not add a receiver at eight, scooping up Boston at 32 could be an excellent move.

New Orleans should also have plenty of options on the defensive side of the ball too.

Defensive tackles Peter Woods (Clemson) and Caleb Banks (Florida) are projected to still be available at 32 on most draft boards. Either player could be the new anchor of the team’s interior defensive line.

There are also a few linebackers who the Saints should keep their eyes on. CJ Allen (Georgia) and Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech) both project as future stars at off-ball linebacker. New Orleans does have Pete Werner and Kaden Elliss already, but adding a rookie would give the team security for the future. Plus a potential upgrade as early as the 2026 season.

Finally, there’s the cornerback position. Adding more starters around Kool-Aid McKinstry could improve the secondary, and the rest of the defense by extension. The Saints could still be in the market for a cornerback, even if they use the eighth overall pick on Mansoor Delane (LSU).

Perhaps the Saints could move up for someone like Avieon Terrell (Clemson), Colton Hood (Tennessee), or even Jermod McCoy (Tennessee) if one of them falls to 32.

The point is, New Orleans could grab one of several excellent players who might not last until pick 42. New Orleans has to think about this approach before draft day.