June 5, 2025 In a bold and potentially transformative forecast, multiple early 2026 NFL Draft projections are predicting that the New Orleans Saints will hold the No. 1 overall pick — and with it, select Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik as the new face of their franchise. The move, if realized, would signal the beginning of a full-scale rebuild in New Orleans and usher in a new era centered around young, dynamic talent.
After several seasons of mediocrity and missed playoff opportunities, the Saints appear poised to reset the clock on a once-proud franchise that hasn’t seen postseason success since the Drew Brees era. With quarterback Derek Carr entering the final years of his contract and declining in effectiveness, the team is in desperate need of a long-term answer under center.
Enter Cade Klubnik.
The Clemson signal-caller, widely regarded as the top quarterback prospect in the 2026 class, has steadily risen to the forefront of NFL scouts’ attention. After a standout 2024 season in which he threw for over 3,500 yards and 32 touchdowns, Klubnik is projected to take another leap in 2025, cementing his status as a can’t-miss prospect. Analysts praise his poise in the pocket, elite arm talent, and dual-threat capabilities — traits that align with today’s evolving quarterback prototype.
“Klubnik has all the tools,” said ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay. “He’s mobile, he’s accurate, he’s a leader — he checks every box for a franchise quarterback. If New Orleans lands him, that’s a foundational piece to build around.”
While it’s still early, and plenty can change between now and April 2026, the Saints’ outlook heading into the upcoming season raises legitimate questions about their long-term trajectory. Following a 5–12 campaign in 2024 and with little in the way of immediate roster upgrades, most experts believe the team will struggle again in 2025 — potentially bad enough to secure the top draft selection.
The possibility of landing Klubnik has already generated buzz among fans and media. For Saints loyalists, the idea of a homegrown quarterback to rally around offers hope after years of quarterback uncertainty post-Brees. Since the Hall of Famer’s retirement in 2021, New Orleans has cycled through a revolving door of starters — including Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, and Derek Carr — none of whom have managed to replicate the stability or success of their predecessor.
Adding Klubnik would give the Saints a clear direction for the future. Beyond his on-field ability, scouts and coaches rave about his leadership and work ethic — two intangibles that make him even more appealing as a franchise cornerstone.
“Cade isn’t just a quarterback, he’s a culture-changer,” said an anonymous NFL executive. “He elevates everyone around him. That’s what you want when you’re trying to reset a team’s identity.”
To fully embrace a rebuild around Klubnik, however, the Saints will need more than just a quarterback. The offensive line needs reinforcement, the receiving corps lacks a true No. 1 threat, and the defense is aging in key spots. General Manager Mickey Loomis and the front office will be under pressure to hit on future draft picks and make smart moves in free agency to surround their potential new star with enough support to succeed.
There’s also the question of coaching stability. Head coach Dennis Allen’s future remains uncertain, especially if the team struggles again in 2025. A high draft pick and fresh quarterback could coincide with a coaching change, opening the door for a new regime to lead the next phase of the team’s evolution.
Still, if the Saints do in fact end up with the No. 1 overall pick and use it on Cade Klubnik, it would mark the most significant draft decision for the franchise in over a decade. The parallels to 2006 — when the Saints signed Brees and drafted Reggie Bush — are hard to ignore. That offseason ignited one of the most successful stretches in franchise history.
Could 2026 be the beginning of another renaissance in New Orleans?
Only time will tell. But if early forecasts are any indication, the Saints may soon be placing the weight of their franchise on the shoulders of a Clemson superstar — and betting that he’s the quarterback of the future.
