Saints might pass on WR with No. 8 pick for Chris Olave reason originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The New Orleans Saints own the No. 8 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and with that selection, there have been a few different routes the team could go.Defense, with safety, cornerback, and edge rusher are all in play. But, offensively, the wide receiver has been one position the team has been linked to often this offseason.However, according to Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports, the Saints might wind up passing on a WR with the eighth pick, thanks in part to Chris Olave.Saints might pass on WR at No. 8 due to Chris Olave"If the New Orleans Saints pass on selecting a receiver with the eighth pick, it will be due to the pending contract extension for Chris Olave," Pauline writes.The Saints have the option to go for one of the top wide receivers with the NO. 8 pick, as Ohio State's Carnell Tate, Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson, or USC's Makai Lemon are all likely to make it to the Saints' pick.But, instead of adding more help for Tyler Shough on offense in the first round, Pauline is reporting there's a chance the Saints wait for a bit to address the WR need thanks to the huge looming contract extension for Olave.More: Chris Olave and the Saints are in extension talks this offseasonAs Pauline notes, "They will likely wait until Day 2 before drafting a receiver."
If such a report comes true, there will be some Day 2 options the Saints could take that would be exciting.Denzel Boston out of Washington might fall into Round 2, while Louisville's Chris Bell and Georgia's Zachariah Branch are intriguing options in the second round.The Saints will have some options on Day 2 of the draft at wide receiver, so they can afford to pass on someone with the No. 8 pick. But that doesn't mean it's any less disappointing, especially if someone like Tate is on the board.New Orleans might end up passing on the wide receivers in the first round thanks to the looming Olace extension. Which, while passing on a WR would be sad, it would likely mean the Saints plan to keep Olave long-term, which would be good news.More Saints news:Alvin Kamara might retire if trade rumors with Saints come trueRuben Bain Jr. named perfect draft pick for Saints with eighth pickSaints might use both Alvin Kamara and Travis Etienne Jr. in 2026Carnell Tate is scheduled to visit with Saints among four other top-10 picking teams for 2026 NFL Draft