Kellen Moore replaces Saints QB Tyler Shough and picks potential fastest player in college football during recent 3-round 2026 NFL mock draft

New Orleans Saints fans are surely flipping through plenty of 2026 mock drafts. With that, it is worth taking a specific look at multi-round scenarios for them. They're projected to have a top three overall selection in next year's draft.

Saints HC Kellen Moore addresses biggest needs in 3-round 2026 NFL mock draft

In Travis May's latest mock draft scenario, the Saints came out like bandits. They found a potential cornerstone quarterback for the long-term, an athletic and impactful pass rusher, and an offensive weapon with elite (!!) speed. I think this sort of outcome would be a massive win for Kellen Moore's team. Check out their picks below.

3. New Orleans Saints: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

"Fernando Mendoza is the QB1 in the 2026 NFL Draft class. He and Ohio State’s Julian Sayin (not draft eligible) have put together the two most impressive 2025 college football seasons by a good margin at quarterback. Mendoza has done it with far less impressive skill position weapons too. Mendoza always had the natural arm talent prior to this year, but he’s finally put it all together, cleaning up his decision making and down field accuracy this season too. He ranks top five in passer rating, adjusted yards per pass attempt, QBR, yards per play, and most every other meaningful metric for quarterback play. The Saints get their future franchise passer here after quickly realizing that Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough were not it." -- Travis May

Mendoza is often projected as a top five pick, for good reason. He is the Heisman Trophy favorite and consistently shows the grit and talent of a future NFL starter. His production is undeniable under multiple staffs at different schools, and he fits the prototype of passer that the Saints staff would value for the future.

37. New Orleans Saints: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma

Thomas is a really fun prospect for more reasons than one. He possesses an exciting blend of size and speed. Even being a bit undersized, he's proven to be able to get to the QB in the SEC. His motor always runs hot, and New Orleans desperately needs more upside off the edge. Cameron Jordan may be on his way to retirement, and Carl Granderson hasn't produced at quite the same rate this season.

68. New Orleans Saints: Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State

The Bulldogs wideout is one of the best downfield threats in all of college football. He's got a smaller frame (listed at 5'9, 170 pounds). That doesn't prevent him from having possibly the most impressive speed in the entire country. Adding him to an offense constructed by Kellen Moore makes a ton of sense.

“I've never seen a person with my own eyes that fast on the football field. Mario Craver was fast, but this guy is like Olympic fast.” -- Mississippi State WR coach Chad Bumphis on Thompson

Overall, this start to a class would be a decisive step in the right direction for New Orleans. Let's see if any of these prospects are on their radar by the time April rolls around.

Falcons May Have Stumbled Into Kirk Cousins’ Surprise Fix — and It Was Hiding on the Practice Squad

As the Falcons scramble to replace Drake London, one unlikely receiver is making the strongest case to be involved.

With Drake London ruled out for Week 12 due to a PCL sprain, the Atlanta Falcons activated rookie Dylan Drummond from the practice squad. And now that London will miss Sunday's matchup with the New York Jets, Drummond was signed to the active roster since he had no elevations left.

In the 24-10 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 12, Drummond logged 15 offensive snaps and caught all three of his targets for 18 yards. Sure it wasn’t explosive, but it was exactly what you want from a depth receiver who’s thrown into the fire with Casey Washington serving as a healthy scratch.

A 100% catch rate, all three grabs moving the chains, and no miscommunications with a quarterback whose offense relies heavily on timing and precision. And it didn’t take long for quarterback Kirk Cousins to let everyone know how he felt about the 25-year-old undrafted free agent signing.

Drummond’s rise isn’t a breakout story (at least not yet) but it’s unquestionably real.

Dylan Drummond signed to Falcons' active roster before Week 13 matchup due to connection with Kirk Cousins

What began as a pair of anonymous elevations in Weeks 8 and 9 (seven total offensive snaps, zero targets) has evolved into something the Falcons suddenly need with their superstar receiver sidelined. And he was the one who got the nod over fellow undrafted wide receiver Nick Nash.

Cousins’ comments weren’t the typical veteran QB pat on the back for a practice-squad guy. They read like someone who has built reps with a player he believes can function in an NFL offense.

That matches what quietly played out behind the scenes: weeks of scout-team work, growing chemistry, and the type of reliability that sticks in a quarterback’s mind. And that comfort helped the four-time Pro Bowler shine in Michael Penix Jr.'s absence.

Atlanta didn’t plan for Drummond to be part of the story, but both he and Cousins have clearly been preparing for the possibility. However, the team did just sign Cousins' former teammate K.J. Osborn to the practice squad, so the fact the Eastern Michigan product was the one activated is telling.

But if Cousins trusts him (and the early evidence supports that he for sure does) it’s the logical thing to do, especially since the 37-year-old will be the Falcons' starter for the rest of the season.

Now I get that no one’s saying Drummond is the next long-term starter or the next hidden gem about to blow up the league. But he is a player who earned a quarterback’s trust, seized the moment when finally given one, and presented the Falcons with a decision they didn’t expect to face.

Because sometimes, the best solutions aren’t the ones you spend months planning for. Sometimes, you find the right guy exactly where you weren’t looking, and the Falcons may have just found one in Dylan Drummond.

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