Saints Taking Deep Dive into Drafting Quarterback
The New Orleans Saints find themselves at a crossroads as they head into the 2025 NFL Draft, with the quarterback position looming as a significant question mark. After a hot start but ultimately down season, the team seriously considers selecting a top signal-caller early in the draft to secure its future under center. With a solid roster in place but uncertainty at quarterback, the Saints have reportedly been evaluating several top prospects, exploring their options in both the first and second rounds. Could they boldly trade up for an elite talent, or will they stay put and take the best passer? Let’s dive into which quarterbacks the Saints have shown interest in and where they might look to land their next franchise leader.
From the moment Derek Carr signed with the Saints, it was clear this wasn’t a long-term marriage, and now that reality is more evident than ever. Both sides seemed uncertain about a reunion heading into the offseason, with reports suggesting Carr was even exploring other options before ultimately agreeing to a restructure for the upcoming season. While he could still be traded or play out the year before moving on, the Saints have clarified that they want to secure their future at quarterback. They’ve taken late-round swings on young passers in recent years, but those picks have never amounted to real opportunities. Now, it’s time for them to invest seriously in a top prospect in the early rounds. Drafting a quarterback in the first or second round would allow him to sit behind Carr for a season, learning from the veteran while working with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who has a strong track record of developing young talent.
The Saints hold the ninth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and pick 40 in the early second-round prime spots to take a legitimate swing at one of the top quarterbacks in this class. If they truly want a future franchise signal-caller, now is the time to make it happen. They haven’t picked this high in years, and with a new head coach in place, the opportunity to secure a long-term answer at quarterback may not come again anytime soon. Even though they are still in the mix to compete for the NFC South and push for a playoff run, passing on a high-upside quarterback in favor of a short-term roster boost could be a mistake. If the right guy is there, the Saints must capitalize and make a move that sets them up for success beyond this season.
Even though last year’s draft was the prime opportunity to land a franchise quarterback due to its depth, this year’s class is much thinner. There are two clear top-tier prospects, followed by another two with slightly less upside but still high ceilings. The crown jewel of this class is Cam Ward, with Shedeur Sanders right behind him, followed by Jaxson Dart and Jalen Milroe as the next tier of options. Landing Ward would require a blockbuster trade up to the number one pick, similar to what the Panthers did for Bryce Young, which was a massive move that would cost a haul in draft capital. However, Sanders could fall to the ninth pick if the quarterback-needy teams ahead of the Saints decide to go in another direction. New Orleans has met with Ward, Sanders, and Dart, showing clear interest in this year’s top passers. While number nine may be a bit high for Dart, they shouldn't hesitate to take him if they believe he’s the guy. Milroe, on the other hand, is the group's most significant project but could make sense at pick 40 if the Saints don’t land one early. His athleticism and playmaking ability resemble Jalen Hurts, whom Kellen Moore just coached in Philadelphia, making him an intriguing fit in this offense.
The Saints find themselves in a rare position to secure their future quarterback, and with the ninth overall pick, they have a real opportunity to do so. While Derek Carr provides a short-term bridge, the team is clearly looking ahead, and this draft presents a crucial moment to make a move. The Saints must take a serious swing, whether it’s trading up for Cam Ward, hoping Shedeur Sanders falls to them, or targeting a developmental prospect like Jaxson Dart or Jalen Milroe. With Kellen Moore at the helm of the offense and a new head coach leading the team, investing in a young quarterback now could set the franchise up for sustained success. The window to win is still open, but the chance to draft a true franchise quarterback doesn’t come often, and this is the year to make it happen.
