AFFINITY'S MOCK DRAFT
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AFFINITY'S MOCK DRAFT
RUN ON FEB 2, 2026

2026- 01

  • AFFINITY DRAFTING FOR THE
    Saints
Draft Selections
Arvell Reese Head Shot
PICK: 8 RND: 1 (NO)
Arvell Reese
LB Ohio State
Caleb Banks Head Shot
PICK: 42 RND: 2 (NO)
Caleb Banks
DE Florida
Emmett Johnson Head Shot
PICK: 73 RND: 3 (NO)
Emmett Johnson
RB Nebraska
Ted Hurst Head Shot
PICK: 132 RND: 4 (NO)
Ted Hurst
WR Georgia State
DJ Campbell Head Shot
PICK: 136 RND: 4 (NO)
DJ Campbell
OG Texas
Tanner Koziol Head Shot
PICK: 148 RND: 5 (NO)
Tanner Koziol
TE Houston
Red Murdock Head Shot
PICK: 170 RND: 5 (NO)
Red Murdock
LB Buffalo
Isaiah Nwokobia Head Shot
PICK: 188 RND: 6 (NO)
Isaiah Nwokobia
S SMU
Draft Grade — Saints
Overall B-
ValueB NeedB- TradesB- FutureB-
No fireworks, just a tidy B- for the Saints.

The Saints did not so much draft DJ Campbell as overpay for him, 25 picks clear of his grade. It sets an uneasy tone for the weekend. It nets out to a B-, which feels about right.

They will regret leaving cornerback for another day if the season turns on it. If one pick saves this weekend, it is Banks.

Add it up and it is a good, unfussy class.

Pick Analysis
Pick8 Rnd1 Arvell Reese
In the 8th pick they get a coverage-and-run second-level piece. Need was not the driver here.
Pick42 Rnd2 Caleb Banks
Caleb Banks at slot 42 is the sort of value that quietly wins a weekend. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Pick73 Rnd3 Emmett Johnson
Emmett Johnson at pick No. 73 is a clear overpay, with better names still on the board. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Pick132 Rnd4 Ted Hurst
A reach on Ted Hurst in pick 132; the board had better options right there. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Pick136 Rnd4 DJ Campbell
DJ Campbell in the Round 4 slot is a bet on their own eyes over everyone else's grade. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Pick148 Rnd5 Tanner Koziol
Tanner Koziol at the 148th overall pick nudges the ledger their way without any fuss. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
Pick170 Rnd5 Red Murdock
Red Murdock in the Round 5 slot is fair value, right on his grade. It is more luxury than necessity; they were already set here.
Pick188 Rnd6 Isaiah Nwokobia
Isaiah Nwokobia at slot 188 is a sensible buy, a touch better than market for the safety. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.