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Saints trade up for future quarterback in seven-round mock draft

Apr 21, 2025 | 3:38 PM

By Ross Jackson

The NFL Draft has finally arrived, and few teams are harder to pin down than the New Orleans Saints.

Uncertainty surrounds their strategy: some believe a quarterback is a must at No. 9 overall, while others ( including most local voices) aren’t convinced the Saints will invest that highly in this year’s quarterback class.

But passing at No. 9 doesn’t mean passing on the position altogether. Here’s how I think things could unfold when the draft kicks off this weekend.

This is my first and only predictive mock of this draft cycle.

Round 1, Pick 9 – Penn State TE Tyler Warren

It’s hard to imagine the Saints passing up one of the draft’s five best players at No. 9. Warren, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter and Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham are, without much doubt, the blue ribbon players in this year’s draft. Georgia Jalon Walker should be in the conversation, as well. But Warren is the most likely to make it through to New Orleans. Though, with the New York Jets picking at No. 7, there is no guarantee even that will be the case. 

However, in this simulation, he was there and therefore was the easy pick.

The 6-foot-5, 256 pound pass-catcher could be an absolute game-changer for New Orleans, especially if the team goes the direction of a young passer for the 2025 season. A move they set up with the next selection in this mock.

Round 1, Pick 32 – Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart

TRADE: New Orleans Saints send No. 40, No. 131 and 2026 second-round pick

Philadelphia Eagles send No. 32 and No. 134

Here is where the Saints make their splash. Ideally, they do so with an eye towards preserving additional draft capital and getting a late-round pick swap involved. Yes, this will cost New Orleans their second-round pick next year, but better than their first. The Saints could also look to trade up into the 20s range with the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings being viable options, as well.

This trade uses the Baltimore Ravens’ 2018 trade-up for quarterback Lamar Jackson (also executed with the Eagles) as a template. 

Dart would give head coach Kellen Moore a handpicked quarterback with similarities to Jalen Hurts, which is the same quarterback Moore just helped win a Super Bowl with.

Louisville’s Tyler Shough is also an option here, as it sounds like the Saints like him. But if New Orleans is as all-in on Dart as expected, this is a can’t-miss opportunity for them. Reports this week have already suggested that New Orleans would be looking to move up from pick No. 40. 

Round 3, Pick 71 – Utah State WR Jalen Royals

Royals is flying under the radar a bit this draft process after a foot injury sidelined him during the 2024 season. However, there seems to be no concerns about his ability and play moving forward. The 6-foot, 204 pound wideout proved that right during his Combine and pro day performances.

Offseason Testing Results:

  • 40-yard-dash: 4.42 seconds
  • Vertical: 36 inches
  • Broad jump: 10-foot-1
  • Short shuttle: 4.25 seconds
  • 3-Cone: 6.94 seconds

Royals could be an immediate contributor, both as a yards after catch threat and as a slot option that makes tough catches and can help move the chains.

Round 3, Pick 93 – William and Mary OL Charles Grant

The Saints signed offensive lineman Dillon Radunz in free agency, so they may be set with their starting five. However, adding versatile depth with starter upside on the offensive line is a must for New Orleans this offseason and Grant could be a home run choice.

Round 4, Pick 112 – Texas EDGE Barryn Sorrell

The New Orleans native heads back to the Big Easy. With six sacks and 11 tackles in 2024 with the Texas Longhorns, Sorrel would be an immediate rotational edge rusher to add to the Saints’ new defensive system. Sorrel worked with Saints defensive line coach Bo Davis during his first three seasons in Austin. Davis reunites with the 6-foot-3, 256 pound edge rusher, who can attack from multiple spots along the defensive line, in Sorrell’s hometown.

Round 4, Pick 134 – Cal CB Nohl Williams

The Saints have the inside insight on Williams thanks to new staff addition Peter Sirmon. He may be the linebackers coach in New Orleans, but he has been the California Golden Bears defensive coordinator (and inside linebackers coach) over the last five years. 

Williams is a physical, man coverage corner with an eye for the football. He had a whopping seven interceptions last season with Cal and also contributes well as an outstanding run defender on the perimeter. His active nature and physical play style make him a good fit for new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley.

Round 6, Pick 184 – Georgia OL Dylan Fairchild

Building the trenches on the offensive side of the ball is always a good choice. Fairchild may go earlier in this weekend’s draft, but because of how strong the position is in the middle rounds and because other premium positions see a dropoff after the middle of day two, being pushed down isn’t far from reality.

Fairchild plays with an impressive demeanor and has great size (6-foot-5, 318 lbs) to boot. He’s appeared in 26 consecutive starts for the Georgia Bulldogs and landed on the annual “Freaks List” before the season began. He’s got great hands and a strong anchor to keep him engaged in protection as a valuable asset in the passing and run game. Fairchild could be a late-round player that turns into a ten-plus year starter.

Round 7, Pick 248 – Colorado WR Will Sheppard

Another local player makes his way back to New Orleans. After not investing in the big-bodied possession receiver earlier, the 6-foot-2 and 203 pound receiver is well worth a roll of the dice.

Saints’ wide receivers coach Keith Williams attended Colorado’s pro day and Shepperd was also in attendance at the Saints’ local pro day, so New Orleans has gotten some good experience with the player. He isn’t a field-stretcher with his 4.59 40-yard-dash speed, but he is absolutely a strong-handed possession guy that could find his way to contributing in tough situations. Madisonville, La. native would have a chance to grow into a solid option over the years of his rookie deal.

Round 7, Pick 254 – Notre Dame DT Rylie Mills

After missing out on a defensive tackle early in this mock, I went back to the well for an underrated prospect. Mills contributes as a pass rusher (7.5 sacks in 2024) and on run defense (8.5 tackles for a loss in 2024). 

He should be a prospect that goes much higher but his medical history may be the biggest impact on that. 

He had left shoulder and right knee injuries that both cost him the final three games of his 2024 year and participation in this year’s Scouting Combine. But at 6-foot-5 and 296 pounds, with just a little more weight, if he recovers well and maintains his blend athleticism and strength, he’s well worth the late-round investment.

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