The New Orleans Saints and Washington Commanders are lining up for the same wide receiver group as the NFL Draft approaches, and that overlap could shape how the board falls for Chris Olave-style pass catchers. New Orleans holds the No. 8 pick. Washington sits one spot ahead at No. 7.
That positioning matters because several mock drafts now have the first wide receiver going outside the top five picks. If the Saints stay on a receiver and Washington does too, the race for the top pass catchers could narrow fast. The Commanders have been mentioned as a team that could instead address the need through a trade, which would change the pressure on the No. 7 selection.
One possibility floated for Washington is a move for Brandon Aiyuk, which would let the team fill its receiver need without using its first-round pick. Bleacher Report predicted Washington could trade for Aiyuk, a path that would reduce the chances of a top pass catcher being taken at No. 7. Washington already has Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel in its receiver room, but the group still appears to be in the market for another weapon.
The idea is rooted in familiarity. Aiyuk and Jayden Daniels were paired at Arizona State in 2019, when Aiyuk led the Sun Devils with 65 catches for 1,192 yards and eight touchdowns. The Commanders are not loaded with draft capital, but they do have four Day 3 selections, giving them a potential way to work around the first round if they choose to pursue a trade instead of a rookie receiver.
That leaves New Orleans waiting on a board that could move quickly. The Saints are expected to target a wide receiver, but so is Washington, and both teams are being linked to the same tier of prospects. If the Commanders pay for Aiyuk, the Saints may face a cleaner path at No. 8. If they do not, the two franchises could be fighting over the same names when the draft reaches the top of the board.
For now, the draft tension is less about certainty than timing. Washington could spend No. 7 on a receiver, trade for one, or lean on its Day 3 picks to change the equation. New Orleans cannot control any of that. It can only wait to see whether the player it wants is still there when its turn arrives.
