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JACKSON: Four-round mock draft for the Saints

Dec 30, 2024 | 5:03 PM

By Ross Jackson

It’s time to start looking ahead for the New Orleans Saints, and one of the more exciting offseason events is and always will be the NFL Draft. After the loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, it seemed apropos to start looking at how the team could address some key needs before next year’s games begin.

With five selections potentially in the first 130 picks of the 2025 draft, the annual selection process will provide a lot of opportunity for New Orleans to acquire some more young talent to help take them into their next era. 

Below is my first 2025 mock draft for the team, which spans the first four rounds and those five picks in premium locations. Here’s what to expect:

Firstly, I’m not so concerned with where a player may or may not be on the board. It’s December, no one knows. As long as they are realistically a part of the cloud in that draftable area, it’s good. This is more about introducing prospects that fit needs more than it is about being predictive.

Second, the Saints will be hiring a new head coach this offseason ahead of the draft. That means that things analysts have come to rely upon like drafting trends for the franchise, prototypes and other telling habits may not apply. I tried to anticipate some of those shifts in the details of this mock.

Finally, not only will you find my selections here, but you will also find the cloud of players that were also available. This is a part of the goal of introducing prospects. It will also provide you an opportunity to mix and match as you please as different pairings and groupings of these potential selections could change the value of the draft.

Let’s get started.

 

Round 1, Pick 10: Michigan DT Mason Graham

At 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds, Graham is a perfect prototype for any team looking for help on the interior of their defensive line. Graham is a bona fide interior pass rusher. He has piled up  nine career sacks with Michigan and a 12.9% pass rush win rate, which ranks No. 3 among Power 4 interior defenders with at least 300 pass rush snaps.

He is also a trusted run defender which is shown by his 12% run stop rate. That mark lands him at No. 3 among that same group of defensive tackles with at least 200 run defense snaps. Graham is an all-around and disruptive prospect that could provide a much-needed shot in the arm of the Saints’ defensive line.

Round 1 cloud: 

  • Michigan CB Will Johnson – A top corner in any draft is hard to pass up. Adding him and perhaps bringing back cornerback Paulson Adebo helps to rebuild the Saints secondary.
  • Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr. – This pick would necessitate a bit of a change of the Saints’ usual pass rusher profile. But at 6-foot-5, 243 lbs., he wouldn’t be a terribly far venture from their usual recipe. Pearce has been highly productive at Tennessee and has the athleticism to add a new gear to the New Orleans pass rush.
  • Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr. – Drafting an offensive lineman that can play anywhere on the line is tempting. But spending a Top 10 selection someone that’s likely to be an interior offensive lineman brings about questions of positional value. The Saints do need help on their offensive interior, however.
  • Mizzou WR Luther Burden III – While wide receiver is a need, grabbing an undersized wideout at 5-foot-9 in the Top 10 would be ill-advised when the team is in need of a big-bodied bully at the position. Were Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan on the board here, that would be an easy selection. He is my No. 1 prospect for the team.
  • Georgia S Malaki Starks – Again, positional value comes into play here. Starks is a solid player no doubt. But would have to fall to the second round to be truly tempting considering the possibilities at this position later in the draft.

 

Round 2, Pick 42: Ole Miss DE Princely Umanmielen

 

This 6-foot-5, 255 lbs. game-wrecker is one of my favorite prospects in this year’s draft. He is a finesse rusher through and through with the ability to add some weight to his lengthy frame. He has 10.5 sacks through the 2024 season and has shown up in some big-time clutch moments. That’s exactly the kind of disruptor New Orleans needs on the edge. He has the ideal blend of explosive get-off and long stride which means he gets off the ball quickly and makes up a ton of ground as he runs the arch. His 20.6 pass rush win rate is top-five among Power 4 edge rushers with at least 250 pass rush snaps.

Round 2 cloud:

  • Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin Jr. – New Orleans also needs play-making on its offense, and Fannin is one of the best prospects in that area this year. While everyone fawns over the versatility of Penn State’s Tyler Warren because of his Taysom Hill-like skill set, Fannin is ready to translate to the NFL quickly. The tight end presently leads all pass-catchers in college football with 1,555 receiving yards. He also has 10 touchdowns receptions this year.
  • Ohio State EDGE J.T. Tuimoloau – Tuimoloau fits the Saints’ current prototype at defensive end, continues the Ohio State pipeline and has had some impressive production in college (13 sacks in his last two years).
  • Alabama EDGE LT Overton – Another prototypical edge with better analytics (17% pass rush win rate, per PFF) than stats production (two sacks) in 2024.
  • Michigan DT Kenneth Grant – The teammate of our first-round selection. Pairing up the collegiate teammates would be a great idea. More of a versatile 0-3 technique type that can line up over the center or move to the B-gap. At 6-foot-3 and 339 lbs., he’s a run-plugger at the next level.
  • Kentucky DT Deone Walker – A more realistic option in the second round than Grant and a similar style of play. He can move along the interior and with his 6-foot-6, 345-pound build, he’ll be a monster in the middle of any defensive line.

 

Round 3, Pick 74: Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins

Higgins is exactly the type of prospect that New Orleans needs at wide receiver. A big-body build at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds with a ton of production and reliable hands that can be deployed from outside or in the slot (29.1% in 2024).

In 2024, he has reeled in 1,185 receiving yards and 9 receiving touchdowns while carrying just a 2.2% drop rate. His 56% contested catch rate is something the Saints would benefit from as well. He has an expanded catch radius with his long-arms and tall frame and comes pre-packaged as a polished route-runner. If this prototype of wideout sounds familiar, it’s because the Saints have been missing it since the best days of former receiver Michael Thomas.

Round 3, Pick 74 cloud:

    • Ohio State EDGE Jack Sawyer – The defensive end checks more than a few of the Saints’ current boxes. Size (6-foot-5 and 260 pounds), he’s an Ohio State guy and he has produced well with back-to-back six-sack seasons.
    • Utah State WR Jalen Royals – This is a name to remember for the draft process. A foot injury and big-school bias have limited his exposure so far to more casual observers of the draft, but the draft process will change that eventually. A 1,000-yard receiver in 2023, Royals is going to test well and at 6-foot, 215 lbs., he is sure to catch some eyes.
  • LSU WR Kyren Lacy – I know, he’s an LSU player so we’re supposed to scratch him out. But at 6-foot-2 and over 200 pounds, he’s a perfect fit for the Saints from a size perspective. However, his 36.5% career contested catch rate might rule him out of the “dominant wideout” category at the next level. He’s sure to be productive in a flanker role elsewhere, though.
  • LSU TE Mason Taylor – Contrary to popular belief, the Saints do actually draft LSU players every now and then. The last was offensive lineman Will Clapp in the 2018 draft. So, the Saints are due for another soon. Taylor would be an exceptional pick here in the third round adding another pass-catching weapon at tight end.
  • Oregon WR Tez Johnson – Far too light for my taste when the team is in need of a dominant force at wide receiver. 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds won’t satisfy that need.

 

Round 3, Pick 89: Notre Dame TE Mitchell Evans

 

Because I did not take a tight end with my last couple of opportunities, one’s coming off the board here. The 6-foot-5 and 260 pound tight end is a reliable blocker and will be a sneakily good pass-catcher at the next level. His lower production numbers in college say more about Notre Dame’s passing offense than Evans himself. He’s a classic “watch the tape guy”, much like Ole Miss tight end Dawson Knox back in 2019’s class. He’s a solid route runner, especially at his size and sports an impressive 85.7% contested catch rate in 2024.

One element to watch with him will be his medical checks after recovering this year from a 2023 ACL injury. 

Round 3, Pick 89 cloud:

Georgia OT Ernest Greene III – Greene is a versatile offensive lineman that would likely be placed at guard in the pros standing at 6-foot-4. Not a bad investment at all since we have not addressed the offensive trenches yet. But free agency provides a lot of opportunity to get ahead in that area.

Texas A&M RB Le’Veon Moss – An explosive prospect with good size, but he is coming off of an undisclosed knee injury that ended his season early. New Orleans is already dealing with enough injury at running back as it is.

Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart – I find the 2025 quarterback class very disenchanting, and intend to treat it as such. 2026 is a much better year to dive in at signal caller. For now, focus on addressing the defense and building around the passer.

North Carolina TE Bryson Nesbit – Good size, but has questionable hands (17.2% drop rate) and not a highly-graded blocker.

Texas TE Gunnar Helm – A solid tight end option here. Great size at 6-foot-6 with six receiving touchdowns in 2024. Another big-bodied jump ball threat.

 

Round 4, Pick 111: Kansas State RB D.J. Giddens

New Orleans can’t go another year without addressing the running back spot. Star Alvin Kamara should be back and ready to go on all cylinders when the season begins but the question marks of depth behind him have been on full display these last couple of weeks. At 6-foot-1 and 212 pounds, Giddens is an experienced zone runner with good elusiveness that can run through contact. He totaled 1,343 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns in 2024, picking up 4.14 yards after contact per carry and adding 25 15+ yard rushes, good for No. 7 in the nation.

Round 4, Pick 111 cloud:

 

  • Texas A&M RB Le’Veon Moss – The back remained on the board here and could be a better option a little later. He does have elite speed and vision along with good size at the position. However, that injury is going to give teams like the Saints, who are already seemingly snake-bitten, some pause.
  • Oregon OT Ajani Cornelius – At 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, the career right tackle has allowed only three sacks in three years. Would not be a bad option here, especially with Oregon’s familiarity with the zone run game.
  • Ole Miss EDGE Jared Ivey – A great fit as a productive pass rusher (seven sacks in 2024) for the Saints. Nails the prototype at 6-foot-6 and  285 pounds.
  • Utah LB Lander Barton – The 6-foot-4, 236 lbs. linebacker is well-sized. But his 19.5% missed tackle rate with 22 missed tackles over the last two seasons is concerning. He has proven to be a solid run defender when he can get the tackle, though.
  • Washington CB Ephesians Prysock – This is another name to expect to rise over the draft process. He has rare size at the position at 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds. Perhaps his six penalties, including one in each of his last five games will interfere a bit. But his 58.9 completion percentage allowed and 90.1 passer rating forced over his career with Arizona and Washington are hard to miss at his size.

 

Round 4, Pick 127: Alabama OG Jaeden Roberts

 

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The 6-foot-5, 310-pound career right guard could possibly start immediately at left guard for the Saints. New Orleans needs help on the interior and this is a deep class of which they could take advantage. He has surrendered 10 hurries this season but allowed just one sack in the process. He has experience in the zone run game and moves very well, which would benefit New Orleans as they like to move the pocket, run play action and move the quarterback on rollouts and bootlegs. Roberts would fit right in if that remains the scheme.

  • Colorado WR Will Sheppard – The Buffs wideout is an impressively explosive athlete that could be a lot of fun in the league. 
  • Miami (FL) EDGE Tyler Baron – This is an exceptional, young prospect at this area of the draft. He’s likely to go higher when all is said and done. He has size (6-foot-5, 260 pounds) and production (18.5% pass rush rush win rate, 11.5 sacks in the last two years).
  • Iowa State DT Tyler Onyedim – An intriguing development option on the interior defensive line. His height measurement at 6-foot-4 should be fine if it holds true, but he’ll need to add some mass at the NFL level, currently listed at just 295 pounds.
  • Kansas CB Cobee Bryant – Bryant is talented, but far too undersized for the NFC South, listed at just 174 pounds. The Saints could add weight here, but have to worry about how much that would affect his play if they wanted to get him near 200 lbs.
  • Tulane DT Patrick Jenkins – Another local prospect is fun to consider, but for the Saints’ needs on the interior, a 6-foot-2 and 293 pound lineman just doesn’t check the box. The Saints need bigger bodies in the middle to aid their run defense.