The New Orleans Saints entered the 2025 NFL Draft with plenty of cracks to seal, and none were more urgent than the quarterback position. With Derek Carr now retired, the Saints used the No. 40 pick on Louisville Cardinals’ Tyler Shough — a selection that raised more questions than confidence.
Many are unsure if Shough even offers an upgrade over Spencer Rattler. Now, the spotlight has quickly shifted to the ‘way too early’ 2026 NFL mock drafts.
Saints Projected to Sign Clemson QB in the 2026 NFL Draft
The Saints have found themselves stuck near the bottom of the NFL standings, but that could change with the potential arrival of Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik. Just a year ago, Klubnik was coming off a frustrating season that fell short of expectations, despite the hype surrounding him as a top-tier prospect.
But the 2024 season flipped the script for Klubnik. He threw for 3,639 yards with a 63.4 percent completion rate, tallying 36 touchdowns against just six interceptions. On top of that, he showed off his mobility, adding 463 rushing yards and seven more scores.
If Klubnik keeps trending upward next season, the Saints could be ready to make a serious move for him in their 2026 draft class.
Analyst Mark Stolte of Pro Football & Sports Network slotted New Orleans at the No. 3 overall pick in his latest mock and predicted the franchise could link up with the Clemson standout to finally stabilize their quarterback future.
9 minutes of Cade “My Glorious King” Klubnik pic.twitter.com/muURl7vpvk
— Sidelines – Clemson (@SSN_Clemson) December 31, 2024
“There might be better scheme fits for the New Orleans Saints, but I think Cade Klubnik has more potential. He was an accurate thrower (43rd in adjusted completion percentage, per PFF) and a solid playmaker in the pocket. He has the athleticism to make plays outside the pocket, but struggles by holding the ball too long,” Stolte wrote.
“Klubnik took the fifth-most sacks outside the pocket in the FBS with 13. Overall, he’s a smooth operator with enough arm talent and good touch and poise. The Saints would be very happy with this outcome,” he added.
For now, the Saints appear all-in on Tyler Shough, with head coach Kellen Moore reportedly high on his potential. That means if Cade Klubnik wants to carve out a future in New Orleans, he’ll need to prove he’s a can’t-miss prospect by the time the 2026 NFL Draft rolls around.
Analyst Backs Cade Klubnik to Be Face of Saints
Once a five-star recruit, Klubnik is now firmly on track to become a first-round pick next April. A couple of months ago, Cody Williams of FanSided seemed to agree, as he doubted that Tyler Shough is the long-term answer in New Orleans.
In his view, the Saints may be back in the quarterback market sooner rather than later.
“Cade Klubnik is fascinating in his own right, going to the Saints in this spot because I think the Tyler Shough experiment is about to be a disaster. I was ready to be out on the Clemson product after 2023, but his 2024 season ultimately ended up pulling me back in,” Williams wrote.
“He has a big arm with good all-level accuracy and, if he continues to make strides, he possesses the tools to be a high-end NFL quarterback,” he added.
Klubnik’s senior year is now the defining chapter of his college career. At just 21, he has the talent, momentum, and spotlight.
All that remains is for him to deliver — and if he does, he could not only meet expectations but exceed them on his way to NFL stardom.
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