Saints Favorites to Land Shedeur Sanders
The New Orleans Saints are rapidly emerging as a potential landing spot for Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the upcoming NFL Draft. With the Number nine overall pick and growing buzz about a possible trade-up, the Saints are positioning themselves to secure a new face of the franchise. This shift in strategy comes in the wake of Derek Carr’s shoulder injury, which is expected to sideline him for a significant period and cast doubt over his long-term reliability. Sanders brings a potent mix of arm talent, mobility, and football IQ—traits that could energize a Saints offense in need of a spark. As New Orleans recalibrates its roster outlook, the move to draft Sanders could signal the beginning of a new era at quarterback in the Big Easy.
For about a year, we've known that the relationship between the Saints and Derek Carr hasn’t been powerful. Despite agreeing to a contract restructure for the 2024 season, that plan now looks like it will be paused due to Carr’s recent shoulder injury. With his health and long-term future in doubt, the Saints may be forced to rethink their quarterback situation sooner than expected. While they do have Spencer Rattler on the roster—a player with a solid arm and flashes of playmaking ability, he doesn’t offer the same upside that Shedeur Sanders brings. On top of that, Rattler isn’t seen as a proper fit for Kellen Moore’s offensive system, and it’s likely Moore will want to bring in "his guy" as he builds out the future of this unit.
Shedeur Sanders to the Saints could be precisely what both sides need. For Sanders, it’s a chance to land in a stable situation with a creative play-caller like Kellen Moore, a solid offensive line, and a strong supporting cast that includes talented receivers and an elite running back in Alvin Kamara. Moore’s system thrives on timing, precision, and play-action—areas where Sanders has shown he can excel with his poise, quick release, and football IQ. The Saints desperately need new energy in the building, and Sanders brings that with his leadership, swagger, and ability to elevate those around him. We’ve already seen how a fresh quarterback-coach pairing can flip a franchise, just like C.J. Stroud did with the Texans and how Jayden Daniels helped transform the Commanders last season. When you pair the right talent with intense coaching and a capable roster, success can come much faster than expected. New Orleans also presents an ideal landing spot for Sanders from a market and culture standpoint. It’s a city that embraces its stars but doesn’t bring the suffocating spotlight of somewhere like New York, where the media pressure and lack of a strong supporting cast could make things difficult for a young quarterback early on. Instead, Sanders would walk into a situation where the expectations are high, but the tools to meet them are already in place. With a loyal fanbase, a winnable division, and a coaching staff looking to turn the page, New Orleans gives Sanders a legitimate chance to grow and lead right away. For the Saints, this could be the bold move that injects life into the franchise and sets the stage for a new era of success.
If the Saints are serious about turning the page and building something sustainable, drafting Shedeur Sanders could be the catalyst they’ve been waiting for. With questions surrounding Derek Carr’s health and future and a new offensive coordinator in place, the timing couldn’t be better to bring in a young quarterback who fits the vision. Sanders offers talent, leadership, marketability, and confidence that can spark a locker room and a fanbase. Pairing him with Kellen Moore, a strong offensive core, and the supportive environment New Orleans can offer would give the player and the team a real shot at success. It’s a bold move, but bold might be exactly what the Saints need right now.
