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JACKSON: Five First Round candidates for Saints (and five more wild cards)

Apr 6, 2025 | 2:42 PM

(photo credit: Nate Bell)

By Ross Jackson

With the NFL Draft a few weeks away, scenarios, possibilities and rumors are abundant. For the New Orleans Saints, the options are plentiful for where they might want to go with the No. 9 overall pick.

Looking ahead to the possible selection, this series will identify a number of possible selections in each draft round for the Saints. Today, we start with the ever-important first round.

 

Michigan DL Mason Graham

The playmaking interior defensive lineman may be one of the team’s best-case scenarios. New Orleans needs improvement in the trenches and Graham, alongside 2023 first-rounder Bryan Bresee, could be the future at the position. Graham may end up going off the board well before the Saints select at No. 9, but if he’s there, he’ll certainly be under consideration. 

Graham visited with the Saints last week. 

 

Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan

A big-bodied wide receiver would be an excellent addition to the Saints’ offense. With Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Brandin Cooks already in the building, the team has a lot of speed at the position. McMillan would add another layer of physicality to complement the trio. 

There have been some concerns after a video surfaced of the Wildcats wideouts talking about his preparation habits. But the video is years old and likely wasn’t new information to NFL teams like it was to the public. McMillan is likely to have matured since those comments, forcing a non-issue for clubs. 

 

Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr. 

Another way for the Saints to retool their defensive line is to add a productive and threatening pass rusher. Pearce would fit that role. New Orleans retained Chase Young and still has Carl Granderson and Cameron Jordan at defensive end. But further investment for their future may be necessary. 

Pearce also fits the change in defensive scheme New Orleans is expected to undergo under new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. As a standup, speedy and athletic edge rusher, he could be the change in mold that the Saints could benefit from including in their pass rush.

 

LSU OL Will Campbell

Campbell would be an interesting fit for the Saints. Despite the obnoxious narrative around his arm length, Campbell is likely to be an excellent tackle in the NFL. While the Saints seem comfortable with their starting bookends, comfort should not halt improvement. If Campbell is available at No. 9 and the Saints send a card up with his name, it would be no surprise. 

New Orleans could look to move Campbell inside or perhaps shift one of their current tackles, Taliese Fuaga or Trevor Penning, to the interior. Teams sometimes look to simply have their five best offensive lineman in the field, regardless of position. Campbell would immediately become one of those five. 

 

Texas DB Jahdae Barron

The versatile defensive back is often pigeonholed by some as a slot corner only, but there’s very little evidence to back that up. Barron was a quintessential outside corner with the Longhorns who had the versatility to be moved into the box in certain situations. A defensive back of that caliber with such a promising tool set and flexibility would fit right into Staley’s scheme. 

Barron also has a strong reputation as a leader and culture-builder. Both are qualities the Saints think very highly of in draft prospects. He also has familiarity with the team’s new defensive passing game coordinator Terry Joseph, who coached Barron at Texas.

 

Lagniappe:

Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders

South Carolina S Nick Emmanwori

Michigan CB Will Johnson

Marshall EDGE Mike Green

Georgia LB Jalon Walker

 

Check out more of our Saints coverage here

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