The New Orleans Saints have been swimming in mediocrity for the past five years. The front office continually tries to compete by paying veterans huge money and restructuring their salary cap. They have a new head coach in former Eagles, Chargers, and Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. This team needs an infusion of young talent, and they have plenty of picks to do so. Here is the 2025 NFL Draft preview for the New Orleans Saints.
New Orleans Saints 2025 NFL Draft Picks
The New Orleans Saints have nine draft picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
- Round 1: No. 9
- Round 2: No. 40
- Round 3: No. 71
- Round 3: No. 93 (from Commanders)
- Round 4: No. 112
- Round 4: No. 131 (from Commanders)
- Round 6: No. 184 (reacquired through Commanders)
- Round 7: No. 248 (from Eagles through Commanders)
- Round 7: No. 254 (Compensatory Selection)
The New Orleans Saints stocked up on draft picks when they traded cornerback Marshon Lattimore to the Washington Commanders before the trade deadline last year. Getting an extra third and fourth-round pick this year comes at a great time. This team needs cheap talent, and five picks in the top 120 is the way to do it. With all the uncertainty surrounding this team, there are so many ways they could go.
Team Needs
The New Orleans Saints need so many things. Much of their roster is expensive aging stars. They don’t have top-tier talent up and down the roster. Their roster is fine. Most of the needs are on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback has suddenly become a need with the Derek Carr injury. Chris Olave is one concussion away from his career ending, and the offensive line hasn’t lived up to expectations. Getting Brandin Cooks this offseason was nice, but he is a veteran presence, not a 1,000-yard difference maker.
On the defensive side of the ball, the team needs some playmakers at linebacker and in the secondary. However, the defense wasn’t awful last season, but it is hard to play good defense when your offense can’t move the ball consistently. Again, the New Orleans Saints have plenty of picks and can address many areas in the draft.
Mock Draft
- Round 1: No. 9: Kelvin Banks OT Texas
- Round 2: No. 40: Jaxson Dart QB Ole Miss
- Round 3: No. 71: Tre Harris WR Ole Miss
- Round 3: No. 93: Demetrius Knight LB South Carolina
- Round 4: No. 112: Ozzy Trapilo OT Boston College
- Round 4: No. 131: Gunnar Helm TE Texas
- Round 6: No. 184: Zy Alexander CB LSU
- Round 7: No. 248: Jo’Quavious Marks RB USC
- Round 7: No. 254: Maxen Hook S Toldeo
Mock Draft Analysis
The New Orleans Saints have suddenly become on quarterback watch at ninth overall. Dart has been getting some first-round buzz, but in this mock draft, he falls to the second round. The Saints would scoop him up in a heartbeat. I was able to pair him with Harris, hoping their connection in college spills over to the NFL. With the ninth overall pick, the Saints get one of the top tackles in the class, and they double up in the fourth round with Trapilo out of Boston College.
The top half of the draft was focused on the offense, with Knight being the only defensive player taken in the top 120. They take some flyers on some players on day three but still focus on the offense getting Helm at tight end (Tayson Hill is not the long-term answer, no matter how much he continues to produce) and Marks out of USC. Given the injury history of many of the offensive starters, it’s not impossible to think some rookies will get significant playing time next season.
Final Thoughts
The New Orleans Saints are one of the most confusing teams to figure out. They are better off tanking and getting high picks, but they refuse to do so. However, they might tank by way of injuries to key players. Still, they are in one of the easiest divisions in football, meaning wins are easier to come by. Will they continue their mediocre ways in 2025?
