By Ross Jackson
The New Orleans Saints hold the No. 40 overall selection as the second round kicks off Friday night. They also have the additional flexibility of two third-round picks later in the day. As they come back up on the clock in the second round, there is still a lot of promising talent remaining.
Here are seven prospects everyone should be watching whether the Saints choose to trade up or stand pat at No. 40.
Louisville QB Tyler Shough
This is the quarterback that has had the most momentum towards the Saints in this year’s draft. New Orleans was expected to be in play to even trade up for him at the end of the first round. That did not happen. The Saints now have the chance to land the big-armed, athletic and soon-to-be 26-year-old passer in the second round instead.
Alternative at the position: Alabama QB Jalen Milroe
Ole Miss CB Trey Amos
The Saints have taken defensive backs on day two of the NFL Draft in six of the last 10 years. Five of which were taken in the second round:
2014: CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste
2016: S Vonn Bell
2017: S Marcus Williams
2022: CB Alontae Taylor
2024: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
The lone third-round defensive back selection among this group was former starting cornerback Paulson Adebo, drafted in 2021.
Amos is Adebo-esque in his physical play style and ability to make plays at the catchpoint. He’s disruptive but needs to improve his tackling in run support. His willingness to get involved in the run game is unshakeable.
Alternative at the position: East Carolina CB Shavon Revel
South Carolina S Nick Emmanwori
If you love an RAS monster for the Saints, this is the player you hope falls to their next selection. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound safety scored a perfect 10.00 after running a 4.43-second 40-yard-dash, leaping 43 inches in the vertical and continuing to demolish his offseason athletic testing.
But his numbers are about more than workouts. He produces on the field as well. He had four interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), 88 combined tackles, three tackles for a loss and a pair of passes defended.
Quite simply… safeties at 6-3 and 227 pounds shouldn’t be able to change direction as smoothly as South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori (#7).
Stud athlete… leads the Gamecocks with 52 total tackles, 4 interceptions, and 6 PBUs. pic.twitter.com/JAFP8hjOCe
— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) November 8, 2024
Alternative at the position: Notre Dame S Xavier Watts
Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku
Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley said in an interview before the draft began that athleticism at edge is a must in order to contend with today’s run schemes and quarterbacks. Ezieruaku is all athleticism off the edge. The 6-foot-2, 248-pound edge rusher piled on 16.5 sacks and 21 tackles for a loss in 2024, both ACC-leading counts at the end of the year. He could be the perfect speed rusher to add to Staley’s new scheme in New Orleans.
Staley speaking pointedly about the important of athleticism on the edge. Especially against the passers in today’s game.
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) April 24, 2025
Alternative at the position: Ole Miss EDGE Princely Umanmielen
Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins
With a ton of momentum coming into the draft, it was a surprise that Higgins didn’t go in the first round. But that could be to the benefit of the Saints. With Missouri’s Luther Burden also still on the board, there is a chance that Higgins falls to New Orleans. If the Saints happen to like him enough, they could look to move up as well.
At 6-foot-4 and 214 pounds, the Iowa State wideout would be an excellent complement to the Saints wide receiver room. His 4.4-second speed makes him a three-level threat that can make the life of a young passer much easier.
Alternative at the position: Stanford WR Elic Ayomanor
Lagniappe (stock might be third round):
LSU TE Mason Taylor
Taylor could have gone off the board as the No. 32 overall selection Thursday night, but the LSU product makes it to day two. The Saints had a chance at Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, but opted to solidify their offensive line instead. Taylor could be just as much of a difference maker at the position, just in a different way.
Taylor could go in the second round after impressing at his LSU Pro Day, but could fall into the third as well, depending on the NFL’s valuation of tight ends. He’ll be right back on the third-round list if still available. The Saints showed a lot of interest in him this offseason.
Alternative at the position: Oregon TE Terrance Ferguson
Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson
Running back value is always hard to project, so where Henderson will go is anyone’s guess after first-round buzz. But as a back that can block extremely well, has elite breakaway speed and can run routes and catch as well, his fit with the Saints is clear. Though the team may be more invested in a big-bodied bruiser, Henderson punches well above his weight class and is an undeniable asset as an athlete.
The TreVeyon Henderson screen TD was more than just speed and poor defensive design.
Texas FS Andrew Mukuba has the pursuit angle, but Henderson is so dang good in the open-field. He anticipates the block of Hinzman #75 and then cuts behind it (all while at full speed). pic.twitter.com/s1EYp3qe6W
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 11, 2025
Alternative at the position: Iowa RB Kaleb Williams
