By Ross Jackson
There have been a lot of rumors already about a potential fall for quarterbacks in this year’s NFL Draft. For a team like the New Orleans Saints which has a starter in place for 2025 but question marks for the future at the position, this could be a blessing in disguise. Assuming, of course, that the Saints feel highly about any of the passers in this year’s draft.
The biggest quarterback name that continues to be the center of stock fall talks is Colorado passer Shedeur Sanders. The young star has been the subject of criticism stemming from his confidence. Should that fall take place, the Saints could end up being a major benefactor.
Otherwise, landing a passer in the second or later rounds (if at all) could be an option for the team. Operating under that hypothetical, a name like Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart could make sense. The Rebel’s passer has been a commonly linked name for New Orleans.
But the draft isn’t all about one name. The class as a whole would be impacted by investing an early selection, Day One or Day Two, in a passer.
Here are two possible four-round mock drafts with early capital dedicated to the future at quarterback.
Mock 1 – Quarterback in the First Round
- Round 1, Pick 9 – Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders
- Round 2, Pick 40 – Stanford WR Elic Ayomanor
- Round 3, Pick 71 – Ole Miss DE Jared Ivey
- Round 3, Pick 93 – Texas S Andrew Mukuba
- Round 4, Pick 111 – Central Arkansas EDGE David Walker
- Round 4, Pick 130 – Notre Dame TE Mitchell Evans
In this mock, the Saints get Sanders to start things off. The addition gives them a clear-cut option as another potential starter post-Derek Carr at quarterback. However, it also puts them in position to still build their trenches and add impact players.
Ayomanor, Mukuba, and Evans play on opposite sides of the ball, yet all three bring talent and playmaking ability to key positions of need.
Ayomanor gives the Saints the big-bodied wide receiver the room currently lacks, Mukuba gives new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley a versatile and aggressive safety that can affect the ball from multiple areas, and Evans is an underrated all-around tight end that can do it all.
Ivey and Walker may seem like redundant selections. However, in Staley’s 3-4 defense, Ivey would be an excellent 3-4 end, while Walker is the standup, pass-rushing linebacker from outside of the tackles.
While landing a quarterback of the future, the first round still wrapped up with several needs addressed.
Mock 2 – Quarterback in the Second Round
- Round 1, Pick 9 – Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr.
- Round 2, Pick 40 – Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart
- Round 3, Pick 71 – LSU TE Mason Taylor
- Round 3, Pick 93 – Kansas State RB D.J. Giddens
- Round 4, Pick 111 – Georgia OL Jared Wilson
- Round 4, Pick 130 – Notre Dame LB Jack Kiser
Leading this draft off with Pearce Jr. immediately gives the Saints a bona fide standup speed rusher that can cause havoc for opposing quarterbacks. Staley gets his Saints version of Leonard Floyd.
After landing someone to pester opposing passers, the Saints nab their own in Dart. The Ole Miss passer saw his stock rise ahead of the NFL Combine, but things have cooled off since. If his scrambling and playground style abilities appeal to Moore, then this is a pick that could make sense for the Saints.
After that selection, the board fell in such a way that allowed us to grab more help for the team’s offense. Taylor, Giddens, and Wilson would all contribute to bolstering both the running and passing game. Taylor’s blocking ability, Giddens’s rushing prowess and speed, and Wilson’s athleticism all contribute to restoring a focus on the run. But Wilson can also be a solid pass protector, while Taylor and Giddens can get involved as pass catchers.
Kiser at 130 gives the Saints an immediate special teams contributor and some depth at linebacker behind starters Demario Davis and Pete Werner.
