The New Orleans Saints have been stuck in franchise purgatory for quite some time.
They've shown spurts of fight under first-year head coach Kellen Moore throughout the 2025 season, but in most games, they're just outmatched by better talent. It's going to take some time to turn the ship around in New Orleans, and it starts with the 2026 NFL Draft.
Armed with a potential top-three pick, the Saints are in position to land a difference-maker next April, and Dane Brugler has them doing just that.
Mock draft has Saints selecting Ohio State's Arvell Reese No. 3 overall
In The Athletic's latest mock draft, New Orleans selects Ohio State edge/LB Arvell Reese third overall.
"The clear No. 1 player on my updated top 50, Reese can be whatever a defense needs him to be in the front seven. (OK, maybe not a nose tackle). He can play off the ball, spy, drop and cover, or mirror runs all the way to the sideline," wrote Brugler.
"As an edge rusher, Reese has burst, flexibility and speed, along with the violence in his hands to dispose of blocks on his way to the quarterback. You will hear plenty of Micah Parsons comparisons for Reese throughout the process."
If the Micah Parsons comparisons aren't tantalizing enough, Reese's status as arguably the top player in college football should excite Saints fans.
Cameron Jordan isn't getting any younger, and New Orleans could use some pop on defense.
Reese would provide that for the Saints, and mark the beginning of a stark turnaround for a once proud organization.
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