Although the 2026 NFL Draft is not considered to be a strong one, that does not mean gems won't be found after the first round. Every year, no matter how good or bad the class is, good players will drop, or unknown players will be put in situations where they can succeed. In the second round, there may be first-round-level players sprinkled throughout, but we won't know for a few years. Just last year, the New Orleans Saints selected QB Tyler Shough in the second round, and after his rookie year, it proved he should have been selected in the first. We currently do not know if that will last, but for now, this is the truth. 

Hitting a first-round player in the second round could elevate a team from being decent to competing for a deep playoff run, and in this year's draft, the Saints have an opportunity to do that at pick 42. With the NFL Combine being around a week away, the projected draft prospects around the Saints' second-round pick are some great options, and if they are still there come April, New Orleans could find some absolute gems. 

Here are the prospects.

DT Lee Hunter

Considering the Saints' needs and their love of the Senior Bowl, DT Lee Hunter seems like a prospect the Saints hope is available at 42. Hunter is a Saints fan, which is a plus, but he is also an excellent defensive tackle.

He takes up space really well, has a high floor as a run defender, and a very high upside as a pass rusher. Although everything is not together in that area, Hunter's potential is very high. He would be a massive upgrade to the Saints' DT room and entire defensive line. 

EDGE T.J. Parker 

Very similar to Hunter, T.J. Parker is another high upside prospect who played in the Senior Bowl and is one of the Saints' needs. Chase Young was able to hide many of the Saints' edge rush issues, but they are still there. The depth really struggled, and with Carl Granderson and Cam Jordan's futures more unknown, Parker can take over. 

He is a great pass rusher and an excellent run defender at the edge. Parker wins in many different ways, and although 2025 was a down year for him, the talent is still very much there. Also, not being the top EDGE on the roster with Young here, Parker will receive less attention, which could unlock his game.

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