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The 2025 NFL draft is just a month away -- so what needs to the New Orleans Saints have to address? They've done well to check a lot of items off their offseason to-do list already, but the work isn't finished just yet. There are several fires to put out in different levels of priority.
So let's reevaluate the state of the team the same way the Saints do. We're going to rank the positions they must improve in the month ahead along with the units that need more work, while highlighting the areas they may want more help on offense or defense. We'll also track the different players under contract and how that impacts their plans for 2025 and beyond. Let's get it.
Players under contract: Taliese Fuaga, Trevor Penning, Landon Young, Josh Ball, Josiah Ezirim
This feels like the position least likely to change in 2025. The Saints are giving Penning an opportunity to earn a new contract and become their right tackle of the future this season. Fuaga thrived after switching sides and playing at left tackle. They should still look to improve the depth behind those young guys, but not at the expense of other position groups with more glaring weaknesses.
Players under contract: Bryan Bresee, Davon Godchaux, Nathan Shepherd, Khalen Saunders, John Ridgeway III, Khristian Boyd
The Saints added Godchaux to this group but it otherwise returns intact from 2024. Boyd never got a chance to show what he could do, and both Shepherd and Saunders left something to be desired. The Saints could look for an upgrade but better coaching may go a long way. We'll see what the plan is here, just don't expect any really big moves.
Players under contract: Demario Davis, Pete Werner, Nephi Sewell, Jaylan Ford, Anfernee Orji, D'Marco Jackson, Isaiah Stalbird
At some point, the Saints need to prioritize replacing Davis as their top inside linebacker. That could happen this year if the right player is available at the right spot -- how far will Jihaad Campbell (Alabama) fall after undergoing surgery on his torn labrum? But it feels like the Saints have bigger fish to fry. Another mid-round pick at linebacker could make sense. We know Nick Martin (Oklahoma State) is on their radar.
Players under contract: Tyrann Mathieu, Justin Reid, Jordan Howden, J.T. Gray, Millard Bradford, Ugo Amadi
Getting Amadi back is good for depth, and Reid can do a lot to improve team speed on the back end, but you feel like the Saints could use another player here. Mathieu isn't getting younger. Howden hasn't developed as hoped. Gray is limited to special teams. It would be a luxury to spend a first-round pick on someone like Malaki Starks (Georgia), but a mid-round investment in Lathan Ransom (Ohio State) could be a really smart move.
Players under contract: Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, Dallin Holker, Taysom Hill, Jack Stoll, Michael Jacobson, Treyton Welch
Re-signing Johnson to take point as the receiving tight end while recruiting Stoll as the blocking specialist makes sense, to a degree. The Saints don't have to trade up for a tight end in the draft now or spend more money on a free agent. But they should want more out of the position than Johnson has been able to give them. Moreau is a good player to have in the rotation but if the Saints can get younger and more dynamic in the draft, they should do so.
Players under contract: Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Brandin Cooks, Cedrick Wilson Jr., Bub Means, Kevin Austin Jr., Dante Pettis, Mason Tipton
The Saints still need that big-frame wideout who can box out smaller defenders on contested catches, but adding Cooks does make the position as a whole less of a need. He brings some much-needed NFL experience and some built-in redundancy as a faster deep threat who can step up if Olave or Shaheed continue to miss time with injuries. Means is the tallest and heaviest player at this position at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds. They should invest in greater diversity of body types.
Players under contract: Derek Carr, Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, Ben DiNucci
Kellen Moore is going to start adding "his guys" to the quarterbacks room sooner or later, and his job security hinges on getting the right passer on top of the depth chart. The Saints probably view this position as a higher priority than we do, but in a two-deep quarterback class their options are limited. Expect them to explore a trade to the top for Cam Ward (Miami) or Shedeur Sanders (Colorado), balk at the price, and then pivot to a Day 2 pick like Quinn Ewers (Texas) or Will Howard (Ohio State).
Players under contract: Alvin Kamara, Jordan Mims, Kendre Miller, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Xazavian Valladay
Sure, Kamara can continue to lead the charge. That doesn't mean he should be expected to. This is a great draft class at running back and a rookie they pick this year would be entering Year 3 of his contract when Kamara's own deal runs out, so it could be a smooth transition. The Saints have fielded the least-explosive run game in the NFL over the last few years and they need a major talent injection. Kamara shouldn't have to keep doing everything himself.
Players under contract: Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, Dillon Radunz, Nick Saldiveri, Will Clapp, Kyle Hergel
Saldiveri should compete with Radunz to start at left guard, but that's a battle the veteran should be expected to win. The Saints went 1-8 without McCoy in the lineup (and they lost two other games he exited early due to injury) and they should at least bring in competition for Clapp as his backup. You'd like to see them draft a guard who can hold that spot down for years to come, but they may not have enough draft picks to get it done.
Players under contract: Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Isaiah Foskey; Cameron Jordan, Ryder Anderson, Jonah Williams
Young, Granderson, and Foskey figure to play the pass-rushing outside linebacker role in Brandon Staley's defense while Jordan, Anderson, and Williams are more likely to line up tighter to the formation over the tackle's helmet or inside shoulder. They need a third playmaker in this group for it to really be viable in the fall. Young and Granderson are both solid, top-20 edge defenders but Jordan is nearing retirement and Foskey shouldn't be expected to flip the switch.
Players under contract: Alontae Taylor, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Isaac Yiadom, Rico Payton, Rejzohn Wright, Travion Fluellen
This isn't a must-address position after the Saints re-signed Yiadom, and they could very well go into the season with this group. But you'd feel a lot better if they added another cornerback who can make Yiadom the CB4 instead of the CB3. Payton might be ready for real snaps on Sundays... maybe. It would be better for everyone if that's an opportunity he earns by outworking his competition rather than being expected to cover NFL receivers in September. It feels like the Saints need another player at the top of the depth chart here.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Needs and Wants: Updating Saints team needs before the 2025 NFL draft
Continue reading...
So let's reevaluate the state of the team the same way the Saints do. We're going to rank the positions they must improve in the month ahead along with the units that need more work, while highlighting the areas they may want more help on offense or defense. We'll also track the different players under contract and how that impacts their plans for 2025 and beyond. Let's get it.
11. Want: Offensive tackle
Players under contract: Taliese Fuaga, Trevor Penning, Landon Young, Josh Ball, Josiah Ezirim
This feels like the position least likely to change in 2025. The Saints are giving Penning an opportunity to earn a new contract and become their right tackle of the future this season. Fuaga thrived after switching sides and playing at left tackle. They should still look to improve the depth behind those young guys, but not at the expense of other position groups with more glaring weaknesses.
10. Want: Defensive tackle
Players under contract: Bryan Bresee, Davon Godchaux, Nathan Shepherd, Khalen Saunders, John Ridgeway III, Khristian Boyd
The Saints added Godchaux to this group but it otherwise returns intact from 2024. Boyd never got a chance to show what he could do, and both Shepherd and Saunders left something to be desired. The Saints could look for an upgrade but better coaching may go a long way. We'll see what the plan is here, just don't expect any really big moves.
9. Want: Linebacker
Players under contract: Demario Davis, Pete Werner, Nephi Sewell, Jaylan Ford, Anfernee Orji, D'Marco Jackson, Isaiah Stalbird
At some point, the Saints need to prioritize replacing Davis as their top inside linebacker. That could happen this year if the right player is available at the right spot -- how far will Jihaad Campbell (Alabama) fall after undergoing surgery on his torn labrum? But it feels like the Saints have bigger fish to fry. Another mid-round pick at linebacker could make sense. We know Nick Martin (Oklahoma State) is on their radar.
8. Want: Safety
Players under contract: Tyrann Mathieu, Justin Reid, Jordan Howden, J.T. Gray, Millard Bradford, Ugo Amadi
Getting Amadi back is good for depth, and Reid can do a lot to improve team speed on the back end, but you feel like the Saints could use another player here. Mathieu isn't getting younger. Howden hasn't developed as hoped. Gray is limited to special teams. It would be a luxury to spend a first-round pick on someone like Malaki Starks (Georgia), but a mid-round investment in Lathan Ransom (Ohio State) could be a really smart move.
7. Want: Tight end
Players under contract: Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, Dallin Holker, Taysom Hill, Jack Stoll, Michael Jacobson, Treyton Welch
Re-signing Johnson to take point as the receiving tight end while recruiting Stoll as the blocking specialist makes sense, to a degree. The Saints don't have to trade up for a tight end in the draft now or spend more money on a free agent. But they should want more out of the position than Johnson has been able to give them. Moreau is a good player to have in the rotation but if the Saints can get younger and more dynamic in the draft, they should do so.
6. Want: Wide receiver
Players under contract: Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Brandin Cooks, Cedrick Wilson Jr., Bub Means, Kevin Austin Jr., Dante Pettis, Mason Tipton
The Saints still need that big-frame wideout who can box out smaller defenders on contested catches, but adding Cooks does make the position as a whole less of a need. He brings some much-needed NFL experience and some built-in redundancy as a faster deep threat who can step up if Olave or Shaheed continue to miss time with injuries. Means is the tallest and heaviest player at this position at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds. They should invest in greater diversity of body types.
5. Want: Quarterback
Players under contract: Derek Carr, Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, Ben DiNucci
Kellen Moore is going to start adding "his guys" to the quarterbacks room sooner or later, and his job security hinges on getting the right passer on top of the depth chart. The Saints probably view this position as a higher priority than we do, but in a two-deep quarterback class their options are limited. Expect them to explore a trade to the top for Cam Ward (Miami) or Shedeur Sanders (Colorado), balk at the price, and then pivot to a Day 2 pick like Quinn Ewers (Texas) or Will Howard (Ohio State).
4. Need: Running back
Players under contract: Alvin Kamara, Jordan Mims, Kendre Miller, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Xazavian Valladay
Sure, Kamara can continue to lead the charge. That doesn't mean he should be expected to. This is a great draft class at running back and a rookie they pick this year would be entering Year 3 of his contract when Kamara's own deal runs out, so it could be a smooth transition. The Saints have fielded the least-explosive run game in the NFL over the last few years and they need a major talent injection. Kamara shouldn't have to keep doing everything himself.
3. Need: Offensive interior
Players under contract: Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, Dillon Radunz, Nick Saldiveri, Will Clapp, Kyle Hergel
Saldiveri should compete with Radunz to start at left guard, but that's a battle the veteran should be expected to win. The Saints went 1-8 without McCoy in the lineup (and they lost two other games he exited early due to injury) and they should at least bring in competition for Clapp as his backup. You'd like to see them draft a guard who can hold that spot down for years to come, but they may not have enough draft picks to get it done.
2. Need: Edge rusher
Players under contract: Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Isaiah Foskey; Cameron Jordan, Ryder Anderson, Jonah Williams
Young, Granderson, and Foskey figure to play the pass-rushing outside linebacker role in Brandon Staley's defense while Jordan, Anderson, and Williams are more likely to line up tighter to the formation over the tackle's helmet or inside shoulder. They need a third playmaker in this group for it to really be viable in the fall. Young and Granderson are both solid, top-20 edge defenders but Jordan is nearing retirement and Foskey shouldn't be expected to flip the switch.
1. Need: Cornerback
Players under contract: Alontae Taylor, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Isaac Yiadom, Rico Payton, Rejzohn Wright, Travion Fluellen
This isn't a must-address position after the Saints re-signed Yiadom, and they could very well go into the season with this group. But you'd feel a lot better if they added another cornerback who can make Yiadom the CB4 instead of the CB3. Payton might be ready for real snaps on Sundays... maybe. It would be better for everyone if that's an opportunity he earns by outworking his competition rather than being expected to cover NFL receivers in September. It feels like the Saints need another player at the top of the depth chart here.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Needs and Wants: Updating Saints team needs before the 2025 NFL draft
Continue reading...
