The 2026 NFL Combine is a few days away, and just like every year, prospects are going to see their draft stocks rise or fall. Most of the focus is on the work outputs, and when players do have standout (good or bad) performances, it is noteworthy, but the magic really happens in the interviews. This is where teams will fall in love with the character of prospects and see potentially how smart they are or what they can bring to a team. The Senior Bowl was another place where these interviews happen, but at the Combine, it's a much clearer process that can absolutely change any mock draft you look at moving forward.
For the Saints, they may believe that a certain player is the perfect and realistic pick at 8, but that idea may be completely messed up after the event. Also, some players may not even be on their radar in other rounds, but the combine could change how they are perceived. So far, we have seen what scouts may think about players, but now the coaches will be more involved.
Focusing on the Saints, here are some prospects to watch out for during the Combine.
RB Jeremiyah Love
Potential top 10 selection Jeremiyah Love has been invited to the combine, but it is doubtful that he will work out at all. Love does not need to prove much more as a player, and with a pretty weak RB class behind him, the odds of someone catching up are nearly zero.
Where the Combine and Love really matter is the meetings, especially with the Saints. RB at 8 is an interesting conversation because of positional value in the draft, but the Saints offense needs another game changer, especially at RB. It would not be a shock that they love Love (sorry, I had to), but if they do meet at the Combine, it could solidify Love as the pick at 8 if he's available.
DT Lee Hunter
Although Lee Hunter could absolutely blow away the Saints in an interview, this is more about his workout. Hunter has a chance to have a pretty good week at the Combine after just coming off a great Senior Bowl week.
If his athletic testing is great, it could gaurentee him as a top choice for the Saints' second round pick. But, at that point, it may gaurentee him as a first-round selection.
WR Denzel Boston
The last in this least of players to watch is WR Denzel Boston, and it depends on whether he runs the 40-yard dash. Boston is perceived as a big body klunky WR, but that's not really what he is. His stock is a mid to late first-round pick, but if he does run the 40 and get a great time, it could really skyrocket his draft stock.