Three Defensive Players Saints Could Target with Ninth Pick
The New Orleans Saints enter the 2025 NFL Draft with a clear priority of revamping their defense. After a disappointing season marked by struggles in key areas, it’s no secret that the team needs to get younger and more dynamic on that side of the ball. With a new coaching staff implementing a fresh defensive scheme, the ninth overall pick presents a prime opportunity to land a game-changing talent. But who could they target? Let’s look at three potential defensive prospects who could be on the Saints’ radar with their first-round selection.
Will Johnson
The Saints’ secondary took a significant hit this past season after trading away Marshon Lattimore, leaving a glaring need for an actual lockdown corner. Will Johnson could be the perfect answer. If he’s available at number nine, passing on him might be too harsh for the front office to justify. Johnson is a big, physical corner who thrives in press coverage, using his length and strength to disrupt receivers at the line of scrimmage. He’s battle-tested, having gone up against some of the best wideouts in college football while playing in Michigan’s elite defense. While the Saints have two young corners with real promise in Kool-Aid McKinstry and Alontae Taylor, neither possesses the dominant, number-one ability that Johnson brings. The need for a top-tier corner becomes even more pressing if the team decides not to re-sign Adebo, who is coming off a gruesome injury. Locking down the outside is necessary in a division with dynamic playmakers at wide receiver. Adding Johnson would give New Orleans an elite corner to anchor the secondary for years to come, helping reestablish the physical defensive identity they’ve been known for in past seasons.
Mason Graham
With new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley shifting the Saints to a 3-4 scheme, finding a dominant force in the middle of the defensive line becomes a top priority. Enter Michigan’s Mason Graham, a disruptive interior defender who could be exactly what New Orleans needs to anchor the trenches. At six foot three and 318 pounds, Graham has the power, motor, and technique to excel as a nose tackle or an interior lineman in a multiple-front defense. In a 3-4 system, controlling the line of scrimmage is crucial, and Graham can eat up blocks, collapse the pocket, and stop the run at an elite level. He was a force at Michigan, regularly dominating against top offensive linemen and proving to be one of the best interior defenders in college football. His blend of quickness and strength allows him to be more than just a space-eater; he can also generate interior pressure, something the Saints have lacked in recent years. With the Saints needing to revamp their defensive front, adding a disruptive presence like Graham could be a game-changer. If New Orleans wants to build a strong foundation for Staley’s new scheme, securing a player like him at number nine would be brilliant. It would be shocking to see Graham still there at nine, but it's a no-brainer if he is.
Jalon Walker
One of the most versatile defensive players in this year’s draft, Georgia’s Jalon Walker, could be an ideal fit for the Saints as they transition to Brandon Staley’s 3-4 scheme. Widely regarded as Georgia’s best defensive player this past season, Walker’s ability to play both inside linebacker and as a pass rusher off the edge makes him a highly valuable prospect. At six foot two and 245 pounds, he possesses the athleticism, speed, and instincts to be a difference-maker at multiple spots on the field. For the Saints, Walker’s versatility would be a tremendous asset. He can drop into coverage, defend the run, and, most importantly, get after the quarterback, which New Orleans desperately needs. His explosiveness and ability to bend around the edge give him the potential to develop into a premier pass rusher, a key component in Staley’s system. With Demario Davis nearing the later stages of his career, the Saints need to inject youth and speed into their linebacker corps. Walker’s ability to play multiple roles could make him an invaluable chess piece for the defense. Adding an elite athlete like Walker would bring much-needed playmaking ability to a unit struggling to generate pressure and turnovers. If the Saints want a dynamic defender who can impact the game in multiple ways, Walker could be the perfect choice at number nine.
With the number nine pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Saints have a prime opportunity to inject much-needed talent into their defense. Whether locking down the secondary with a shutdown corner like Will Johnson, bolstering the defensive line with a dominant force like Mason Graham, or adding a versatile playmaker like Jalon Walker, the Saints must prioritize impact defenders who can help reshape this unit. However, if they go defense, the focus should ultimately be on improving in the trenches. In recent years, the Saints have struggled up front, stopping the run and generating consistent pressure. Investing in a game-changing presence along the defensive line or an elite front-seven talent could be the key to turning things around. With Brandon Staley’s new scheme in place, fortifying the front should be the top priority to get this defense back to a dominant level.
