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The New Orleans Saints' top team needs don't include a quarterback, but could they go that route in the 2025 NFL Draft?
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Saints are the betting favorites to select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the NFL draft.
New Orleans currently owns the No. 9 overall pick in the draft, the first of nine total picks the team owns after trading cornerback Marshon Lattimore to Washington last year. The Saints also own a compensatory pick in the seventh round in this year's draft.
Here's what to know about the the Saints' draft outlook ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft:
SHEDEUR SANDERS LANDING SPOTS: Saints among best fits for Colorado QB
New Orleans owns nine picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. They are as follows:
NFL DRAFT RUMORS: Why Travis Hunter to Browns is looking 'more likely'
Cornerback
The Saints traded cornerback Marshon Lattimore to Washington, then Paulson Adebo went to the Giants in free agency. Though New Orleans spent second-round picks on a cornerback in 2022 (Alontae Taylor) and 2024 (Kool-Aid McKinstry), it's a position in dire need of more depth, even after bringing back Isaac Yiadom on a three-year deal.
Edge rusher
New Orleans' sack leader in 2024 was defensive tackle Bryan Bresee. Behind him, Chase Young and Carl Granderson tallied 5.5 sacks each. The Saints finished 2024 ranked 30th in pass-rush win rate, according to ESPN, and they'll need to be better than that if they hope to end their four-year playoff drought.
Offensive line
As bad as the Saints were at rushing opposing passers in 2024, they were nearly as bad in pass protection. New Orleans ranked 29th in pass-block in rate, per ESPN. Specifically, the left guard spot is the most obvious one in need of a more permanent solution after no clear answer emerged last year.
Here's how the Saints might address their team needs in the draft later this month, according to USA TODAY's Ayrton Ostly:
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Orleans Saints NFL draft picks 2025: Round-by-round selections
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According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Saints are the betting favorites to select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the NFL draft.
New Orleans currently owns the No. 9 overall pick in the draft, the first of nine total picks the team owns after trading cornerback Marshon Lattimore to Washington last year. The Saints also own a compensatory pick in the seventh round in this year's draft.
Here's what to know about the the Saints' draft outlook ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft:
SHEDEUR SANDERS LANDING SPOTS: Saints among best fits for Colorado QB
Saints 2025 NFL Draft picks
New Orleans owns nine picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. They are as follows:
- Round 1 – No. 9 overall
- Round 2 – No. 40 overall
- Round 3 – No. 71 overall
- Round 3 – No. 93 overall (from Washington)
- Round 4 – No. 112 overall
- Round 4 – No. 131 overall (from Washington)
- Round 6 – No. 184 overall
- Round 7 – No. 248 overall (from Philadelphia via Washington)
- Round 7 – No. 254 overall (compensatory selection)
NFL DRAFT RUMORS: Why Travis Hunter to Browns is looking 'more likely'
Saints 2025 NFL Draft needs
Cornerback
The Saints traded cornerback Marshon Lattimore to Washington, then Paulson Adebo went to the Giants in free agency. Though New Orleans spent second-round picks on a cornerback in 2022 (Alontae Taylor) and 2024 (Kool-Aid McKinstry), it's a position in dire need of more depth, even after bringing back Isaac Yiadom on a three-year deal.
Edge rusher
New Orleans' sack leader in 2024 was defensive tackle Bryan Bresee. Behind him, Chase Young and Carl Granderson tallied 5.5 sacks each. The Saints finished 2024 ranked 30th in pass-rush win rate, according to ESPN, and they'll need to be better than that if they hope to end their four-year playoff drought.
Offensive line
As bad as the Saints were at rushing opposing passers in 2024, they were nearly as bad in pass protection. New Orleans ranked 29th in pass-block in rate, per ESPN. Specifically, the left guard spot is the most obvious one in need of a more permanent solution after no clear answer emerged last year.
Saints 2025 NFL mock draft
Here's how the Saints might address their team needs in the draft later this month, according to USA TODAY's Ayrton Ostly:
- Round 1 – No. 9: LB/Edge Jalon Walker, Georgia
- The Saints need an injection of young talent on defense and get that with the versatile Walker. With the top offensive linemen off the board, New Orleans grabs hybrid defender who can fit at off-ball linebacker and rush off the edge.
- Round 2 – No. 40: IOL Grey Zabel, North Dakota State
- New Saints coach Kellen Moore saw firsthand how important good offensive line play was in Philadelphia and Dallas. Zabel could realistically line up at all three interior spots and would shore up the area immediately as a rookie.
- Round 3 – No. 71: QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama
- Round 3 – No. 93: Edge Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA
- Round 4 – No. 112: IOL Charles Grant, William & Mary
- Round 4 – No. 131: WR Dont'e Thornton Jr., Tennessee
- Round 6 – No. 184: RB DJ Giddens, Kansas State
- Round 7 – No. 248: DT Jahvaree Ritzie, North Carolina
- Round 7 – No. 254: WR Kaden Prather, Maryland
2025 NFL Draft: Every team's picks
- AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Patriots
- AFC North: Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers
- AFC South: Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans
- AFC West: Broncos | Chargers | Chiefs | Raiders
- NFC East: Commanders | Cowboys | Eagles | Giants
- NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
- NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints
- NFC West: 49ers | Cardinals | Rams | Seahawks
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Orleans Saints NFL draft picks 2025: Round-by-round selections
Continue reading...