By Ross Jackson
Sportsbooks are constantly changing around the NFL Draft, but for the New Orleans Saints some things have remained consistent. FanDuel Sportsbook still has quarterback highlighted as the favorite position for the Saints to draft in the first round, but others are certainly in play.
Here are FanDuel’s top-five positions for the Saints to address in the draft’s opening round, the current associated odds and some options that fit.
Quarterback (+110)
- Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders
- Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart
While passers like Louisville’s Tyler Shough, Texas’ Quinn Ewers and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe have spent time with the Saints this offseason, none are often considered first-round picks. The Saints could shock the world by taking one of them, a la the New York Giants when they took Daniel Jones No. 6 overall in 2019, but that strategy has more often failed than succeeded.
Defensive Lineman/Edge (+410)
- Michigan DT Mason Graham
- Tennessee EDGE James Pearch Jr.
- Marshall EDGE Mike Green
- Texas A&M DE Shemar Stewart
- Georgia DE Mykel Williams
The Saints have been on a one year on, one year off pattern since 2021 when it comes to first round defensive lineman. If you don’t include 2019, (when the team didn’t have a first-round selection) the same rhythm extends back to 2016. Should the pattern continue, this would be a defensive line year.
Michigan DT Mason Graham put on a 1 min highlight reel by himself against Ohio State. Dominant performance for a top-5 player in this NFL Draft class. pic.twitter.com/HXUdsgfyuC
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) December 2, 2024
Tight End (+600)
- Penn State TE Tyler Warren
- Michigan TE Colston Loveland
While the Saints were reportedly present for Warren’s private workout, there hasn’t been much connecting them with Loveland. New Orleans has only taken one first-round tight end in its history in Notre Dame’s Irv Smith. He was a part of the 1993 draft class as the second of two opening round selections that year. The first was offensive tackle and NFL Hall of Fame member Willie Roaf.
Cornerback (+900)
- Michigan CB Will Johnson
- Texas CB Jahdae Barron
- Florida State CB Azareye’h Thomas
Thomas would be a shock to be the first cornerback off the board but with health and speed questions looming over Johnson, I’ll include him in the possibilities list. However, if Johnson’s medicals check out and there’s no concern about his not running a 40-yard-dash in his pre-draft process, he’s a shoo-in if the Saints went for this position at No. 9 overall. Barron would be an intriguing prospect as well, especially with his familiarity and connection with the Saints’ new defensive passing game coordinator Terry Joseph.
No 40 for Will Johnson? No problem
Johnson was clocked as fast as 20.3 MPH last season, per @RAanalytics
He even stumbled on the play 👀
🎥: @RAanalytics pic.twitter.com/R7geoBfVLi https://t.co/QCsJp7RVGX
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) April 14, 2025
Offensive Lineman (+1000)
- LSU OT Will Campbell
- Missouri OL Armand Membou
- Ohio State OT Josh Simmons
- Texas OL Kelvin Banks Jr.
With uncertainty now around the Saints’ quarterback position, investment in the offensive line could be a must for New Orleans in order to keep their presumed young starting passer safe in 2025. There are a number of linemen that could go earlier than expected in this year’s draft as the position is often undervalued by the public in comparison to NFL teams.
