Late NFL Draft risers could boost Saints’ fortune

By Ross Jackson

As the NFL Draft nears, media members will begin to get caught up with NFL evaluators on how big boards, positional rankings and needs realistically look. As such, some draft prospects will begin to see increased attention as we learn more about how teams truly view their value. The process has already started for some players.

This is a major benefit for the New Orleans Saints, who select No. 8 overall. The more names that potentially creep into the top of the first round, the more options the Saints will end up having at their selection.

Here are three late-process risers that could have this impact for New Orleans, should they go off the board earlier than many have expected.

Alabama QB Ty Simpson

While there has been discourse and disagreement about some of the more bullish evaluations on Simpson, there’s still always a chance that a quarterback-needy team early (like the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 overall) goes much earlier for a signal caller than anticipated.

It only takes one team to fall in love with a player before that prospect becomes a top-10 or even top-five selection.

Simpson led the SEC in both passing attempts (473) and completions (305) in 2025, picking up 3,567 passing yards, 28 touchdowns passes and just five interceptions. But his one year as a starting quarterback has created a need to rely on projection rather than production, a wrinkle from which some NFL teams will often shy away.

Alabama OL Kadyn Proctor

The 6-foot-7 and 352 pound offensive tackle towers over much of his draft class cohort, but his value is impacted by his NFL fit. Often viewed as a right tackle or guard in the NFL, his stock will only be able to rise so much. But in a draft class starving for top-tier left tackle play, if one team that drafts highly sees him as a potential blindside protector (or has a left-handed passer) Proctor could end up flying off of the board early.

The more offensive linemen that go in the top-seven, the better for the Saints. With top tackles like Miami’s Francis Mauigoa and Utah’s Spencer Fano also in the mix, Proctor’s rising profile is a promising sign for New Orleans.

Georgia T Monroe Freeling

One could argue that Freeling really began his rise during the NFL Scouting Combine where he burned a 4.93-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds. They wouldn’t be wrong. But his rise hasn’t slowed down since. 

Freeling may be the draft’s top left tackle, making him a premium pursuit for offensive line-needy clubs looking to keep their quarterbacks upright. 

New Orleans addressed their starting tackle spots over the last two drafts, selecting right tackle Taliese Fuaga in the first round of the 2024 draft and left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. last year. Being that they won’t be in the market for the position early, things could fall in their fortune as other teams potentially sprint to handle their bookend needs.