The New Orleans Saints had another below-average year with a very subpar roster, to say the least. The Saints dealt with multiple injuries last season, including quarterback Derek Carr and wide receiver Chris Olave. The draft could possibly make or break this coming season for the Saints.
Carr is dealing with a shoulder injury that many reports suggest could require surgery and potentially cause him to miss the entire season. The team finally fired Dennis Allen, who probably should have been let go before last season. The team is headed in a new direction with the new head coach Kellen Moore. Moore is coming off a Super Bowl title while serving as the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles.
With the draft less than a week away the Saints need to fill key playmaker positions. The team in Louisiana will look to compete in a very winnable NFC South division after a poor 5-12 record, finishing tied for last place with the Carolina Panthers.
New Orleans has nine selections and the ninth overall pick in the first round. Let’s dive into the key needs for the Saints going into draft night.
New Orleans Saints 2025 NFL Draft Needs
Biggest Needs:
- Quarterback
- Defensive Line
- Offensive Line
Quarterback
With the injury to Carr and question marks mounting for Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener, the Saints may decide to draft a quarterback in the first round. It has been a position of need since Drew Brees retired and they have not been able to solidify the spot since Brees hung up his cleats. Here are potential options for New Orleans at the quarterback position.
Shadeur Sanders, Colorado: Sanders is a confident quarterback with a standard arm but tremendous accuracy. At times the Colorado quarterback can hold onto the ball too long and will have to understand that he won’t have the time in the pocket he did in college. Sanders may have the best timing and pinpoint throws out of all the quarterbacks available. He should be available at nine if the Saints want to take him.
Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss: Dart has the skills to be a solid NFL quarterback, and most compare him to Jalen Hurts. I think we all know how Hurts turned out. The Ole Miss product improved each season and can get the tough yards if needed. He can be streaky at times, in some games he can light up the scoreboard, while other times he lights up the interception numbers. Dart being paired with Moore will only help him improve his skills and make him a possible starter come week one.
Tyler Shough, Louisville: Shough is coming off his best season in college at Louisville. He has the build of an NFL quarterback at (6-5,225) and has the arm strength to make all the throws. He can also stand in amidst pressure and deliver the ball accurately down the field. He can also scramble if needed to get first downs, making him more of a viable option.
Defensive Line
If the Saints don’t select a quarterback most expect them to draft a defensive lineman. Cameron Jordan is in the back half of his career and Chase Young‘s inconsistencies appear during the season. As a result, the Saints could go with an edge rusher.
Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M: Raw talent is what draft experts say when analyzing Stewart. The defensive end has a tremendous ceiling, to go along with his explosiveness and traits that you can’t teach. He’s too athletic for guards to be able to contain him and can overpower tackles with his bull-rush. The knock-on Stewart is there’s not a lot of tape and production. He’s boom or bust with most draft experts having him as a boom.
Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia: The standout edge rusher from the SEC is an explosive player with tremendous upside. Last season, he generated 30 quarterback pressures from multiple spots while showing off his versatility. He can make an offensive line coach game plan for him throughout the week. You also can’t ever go wrong with taking a player out of Georgia who has been coached by Kirby Smart.
James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee: Pearce has been a force over the past two seasons playing for the Tennessee Volunteers. Even though there have been character issues since the combine, Pearce could be a great fit in New Orleans if put in the right system. He’s shown the ability to be a standout player with all the tools in the arsenal.
Offensive Line
The Saints will look to sure up the offensive line in this year’s draft. Ryan Ramczyk retired earlier this month leaving a major weakness in the trenches. Here are some potential options for the Saints.
Armand Membou, Offensive Tackle, Missouri: Membou is a do-it-all offensive tackle who played in a zone-centric scheme at Missouri. During his college career, he displayed his explosiveness and ability to get to the next level. The Missouri product can also handle defensive ends by using his quick speed to get off the ball.
Will Campbell, Offensive Tackle, LSU: More and more draft experts have Campbell as their top-rated offensive tackle in mock drafts I’ve seen. The LSU product is a powerful lineman who can create holes for running backs and will be elite in pass protection. Campbell will be a starter by week one in the NFL, showcasing his speed, strength, and intelligence at the line.
Josh Simmons, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State: Simmons has experience playing right and left tackle which showcases his versatility. He didn’t play much in 2024 after tearing his patellar tendon, but most coaches expect him to be ready for the 2025 season. Simmons is a problem for defensive linemen, displaying a strong punch and can get to the next level to open bigger holes for running backs.
The Saints will look to fill these needs in the first year of the Kellen Moore era. The decision at quarterback will be the biggest choice because it’s a major question mark going into the 2025 season. Look for the Saints to compete for the NFC South title this season.
Main Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
