The New Orleans Saints made significant investments in NFL free agency this offseason, signaling their intent to compete in 2025. They added veterans Justin Reid and Brandin Cooks while re-signing Chase Young and Juwan Johnson. While these moves emphasize the team’s short-term goals, the 2025 NFL Draft could bring more significant changes for the future.
Holding the ninth overall pick, the Saints are in a prime position to land a consensus top-seven prospect who slips in the draft, including quarterbacks Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders. However, the more likely scenario is that they select a top defensive player.
What follows will be crucial. With various roster needs and long-term salary cap challenges, addressing key positions won’t be easy. This could lead New Orleans to take a bold approach in the draft.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, despite Derek Carr restructuring his contract this offseason, the Saints remain a legitimate candidate to select a young quarterback early in the draft.
The team has been thoroughly evaluating the 2025 quarterback class. First-year head coach Kellen Moore attended Ole Miss’s Pro Day to scout Jaxson Dart and has also been present at private workouts for Ward, Quinn Ewers, and Will Howard. Additionally, quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien has worked out Tyler Shough and Kyle McCord at their pro days.
If Sanders is unavailable at the ninth pick, New Orleans would likely wait until Day 2 to draft a quarterback. However, with two third-round selections (71st and 93rd overall) and two fourth-round picks (112th and 131st overall), they have the flexibility to move up late in Round 1 to select Dart.
Even if the Saints land Dart or Shough, Carr is expected to start the season under center. However, given his injury history and limited upside, a rookie could take over as New Orleans’ starting quarterback by December.