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It's been a long, long time since the New Orleans Saints last picked eighth overall. But the last time they slotted in here, way back in 1993, they drafted future Pro Football Hall of Fame left tackle Willie Roaf. So no pressure on whichever player hears their name called at No. 8 in 2026.
Roaf was almost immediately successful in New Orleans. The Louisiana Tech product started all 16 games as a rookie, then elevated his game to earn the first of seven consecutive Pro Bowl nods. He was twice recognized on the All-Pro first team by the Associated Press during that span while earning three spots on the All-Pro second team. A season-ending injury slowed him down in 2001, but Roaf picked up where he left off after recovering and being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs. He made it to the Pro Bowl in each of his four years with Kansas City and twice made the All-Pro first (2003 and 2004) and second (2002 and 2005) teams.
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Of course Roaf's accomplishments after being drafted at No. 8 don't mean the Saints are about to find another future Hall of Famer. The other player they picked in that spot, former Georgia guard Royce Smith, only lasted two years with the team. Guys taken at No. 7 like Kyle Turley and Sedrick Ellis had decent careers with the Saints but neither of them turned into Pro Bowlers. Then you've got outright draft busts like Johnathan Sullivan (No. 6 in 2003) and Russell Erxleben (No. 11 in 1979) to be wary of. But this is a great opportunity for the Saints to land a difference-making talent. We're going to be waiting for April with a lot of anticipation.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Saints land same slot they picked HOFer Willie Roaf
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