th rather than a full teardown.

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New Orleans trimmed its 2026 draft footprint to five picks, shedding a pair of Day-3 selections to Denver as part of the Devaughn Vele deal. The Saints’ current 2026 draft map sits at Round 1 (own), Round 2 (own), Round 3 (own), Round 5 (own) and Round 6 (own). They had already swapped a 2026 fourth to the Broncos earlier and sent a 2026 seventh to New England for Davon Godchaux, a move that could be offset by a compensatory fourth if Isaac Yiadom doesn’t start. The 2027 slate also shrank by a seventh-round pick headed to Denver in the Vele trade.

Looking ahead, New Orleans still owns most of its picks through 2028, as the league restricts deals beyond three years. By keeping most Day 1-2 capital intact but ceding some Day 3 depth, the Saints signal a push toward developing talent in-house while remaining competitive. Arch Manning talk looms among fans hoping for a 2026 pipeline, but the Saints’ current strategy centers on asset preservation, depth-building, and internal growth rather than a full teardown.

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Khalen Saunders started for the Saints in Sunday’s preseason clash with the Jaguars, but the day ended with Saunders wearing Jaguars colors after a shock swap that also brings Luke Fortner back to New Orleans. The deal links Saunders to Jacksonville while Fortner returns to the Saints, reshaping the teams’ interior line depth in real time.

The 29-year-old Saunders is listed as DT2 in New Orleans behind Davon Godchaux, but he showed enough last season (43 tackles, 2 sacks, an interception) to earn another chance elsewhere. Fortner, a steady presence since 2022, has appeared in 51 games (34 starts) and will slot in as the Saints’ center after Will Clapp’s season-ending foot injury, giving New Orleans a familiar face at the position.

For Jacksonville, Saunders adds interior run-stopping depth and a veteran presence as they navigate the late stages of preseason roster decisions. The Saints’ return of Fortner completes the

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