The 2025 season has barely started, but teams are already scouting the 2026 NFL Draft class. One franchise that will need to hit big is the New Orleans Saints, who are likely to struggle throughout 2025. Here are five prospects they will be watching closely.
QB: John Mateer, Oklahoma
The Saints cannot afford to overlook the quarterback position in 2026, even after drafting Tyler Shough in the second round this year. Oklahoma’s John Mateer is not viewed as a first-rounder yet, but he will face one of the toughest Week 2 matchups of any quarterback in this class when the Sooners take on Michigan. If he delivers more games like his opener against Illinois State, where he completed 81 percent of his passes and accounted for four touchdowns, his draft stock will keep rising.
DE: Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
Another standout from Week 1 was Oregon defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei, who earned a spot on NFL Mock’s top ten draft prospect performances list. Despite playing only 36 snaps against Montana State, he still managed two sacks and consistently disrupted the backfield. This week he faces a much tougher test against Oklahoma State, the Ducks’ toughest non-conference opponent. With the Saints entering the season ranked dead last in defensive line play by Pro Football Focus, adding a premier pass rusher like Uiagalelei late in the first or early in the second round would be a smart investment.
DT: Peter Woods, Clemson
Another defensive lineman to watch is Clemson’s Peter Woods, who is coming off a tough loss to LSU. Woods is a powerful interior defender and could be an option near the top of the first round if the Saints pass on a quarterback. At 6-foot-3 with a 490-pound bench press and a 4.86 40-yard dash, he combines rare size, power, and speed. Those traits earned him the number five spot on Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freaks List” and make him a candidate to become a dominant force in the NFL.
Don’t be surprised if Clemson DT Peter Woods becomes a top-5 Draft pick. He’s special. This offseason, the 20-year old benched 490 pounds and did 34 reps of 225. He squatted 700 and power cleaned 385, ran a 4.86 40 and vertical jumped 33 inches. https://t.co/bDq95e6FRe
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) August 5, 2025
CB: Jyaire Hill, Michigan
Another player to watch in the Oklahoma vs. Michigan matchup is cornerback Jyaire Hill. He will be counted on to help slow down the Sooners’ passing attack and will often line up against their top receiver, Deion Burks, who currently carries a fourth-round grade on my board. Hill is a big, athletic corner with speed, making him a strong mid-round option for the Saints.
OG: Kade Pieper, Iowa
Offensive guard is another position the Saints could look to address in 2026, and Iowa’s Kade Pieper is a name to watch. In his season opener, Pieper earned an 87 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. He now faces a tougher assignment against Iowa State’s Domonique Orange, one of the top defensive tackles in the class. How he handles that matchup could say a lot about his draft ceiling.