When do the Saints actually pick? Projected time for No. 8 pick in 2026 NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New Orleans Saints are coming into the 2026 NFL Draft with some very exciting prospects who could join the team in the first round.
With Tyler Shough seeming to be the franchise quarterback, the Saints' options in Round 1 will be the kind of players that spark excitement within a fan base. But when can Saints fans begin to get excited about their first-round pick?
When will the Saints actually make their No. 8 overall pick? With the 2026 NFL Draft beginning at 8 p.m., Thursday, April 23, Saints fans will only have to wait a little bit to see which prospect is coming to New Orleans this year.
The Saints will be on the clock at No. 8 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. That means seven teams will be selecting in front of the Saints.
With the NFL lowering the time each team can decide on their pick to eight minutes, the Saints will, at the absolute most, have to wait 56 minutes after the draft begins for their first-round pick.
With the NFL Draft typically starting a few minutes after 8 p.m. - with the Tennessee Titans officially being on the clock eight minutes after 8 p.m. last year - the Saints are projected to be on the clock between 8:50 p.m. EST and 9:00 p.m. EST.
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Fans should be ready to tune in before that, as most teams won't use all eight minutes of the draft clock. Most likely, the Saints will be picking somewhere around an hour after the draft begins.
The Saints only own one first-round pick in this year's draft, but they might be looking to move around the board. Fans should tune in early, as there might be a very aggressive trade-up from New Orleans on the horizon.
But, if they don't trade up and simply stick and pick at No. 8 overall, the Saints will likely be making their pick sometime between 8:50 and 9:15 p.m. EST on Thursday, April 23.
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