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Seven-round Saints mock draft after first week of NFL Free Agency

Mar 17, 2025 | 9:21 AM

By Ross Jackson

Now that the first week of free agency is behind the NFL, it becomes a little easier to pinpoint needs that are still remaining on teams’ rosters. For the New Orleans Saints, whose newest additions seem focused to the defensive side of the ball, the draft could then land more offensive talent. 

However, the Saints may still want competition at their starting cornerback role, as well. With needs still remaining, let’s take a look at what positions still need impact and the players in this year’s draft that could help them in this week’s seven-round mock draft.

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Remaining Team Needs

  • Wide Receiver – Ideally, a big-bodied target or a yards-after-catch threat.
  • Offensive Line – A starting left guard.
  • Cornerback – Additional competition on the boundary.
  • Running Back – A versatile option to complement Alvin Kamara.
  • Linebacker – Depth behind Demario Davis and Pete Werner.
  • Defensive Line – Reinforcements on both the interior and edge.

Round 1, Pick 9 – Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan

This immediately checks off the wide receiver need for New Orleans. McMillan stands at 6-foot-4, 219 pounds and is an absolute playmaker at the position. Tough catches while draped in coverage, leaping catches with a high degree of difficulty, and disciplined route-running and run protection, the Arizona product can do it all. He’d be the perfect complement to the top of the Saints’ wide receiver room and defensive end Cameron Jordan is already campaigning for him. 

2024 stats:

  • 84 receptions
  • 1,319 receiving yards
  • 8 touchdown catches

Combine workout numbers:

Update: McMillan did participate in his Pro Day where he reported ran a 40-yard-dash time between 4.48 and 4.58 seconds.

Round 2, Pick 40 – Ole Miss CB Trey Amos

The New Iberia native could be a day one starter in the Saints’ defense. Amos is a patented cover cornerback that can man the outside on an island. He also has the processing and movement abilities to operate in Staley’s pattern-matching scheme. He’s a physical corner at 6-foot and 195 pounds, who has a knack for making things difficult for opposing passers forcing a 54.5 passer rating when targeted last year. He is also a reliable tackler in run support from the perimeter.

2024 stats:

  • 50 total tackles (4 for a loss)
  • 51.6% completion percentage allowed
  • 3 interceptions
  • 13 passes defended

Combine workout numbers:

  • 4.43 40-yard-dash
  • 13 bench reps
  • 32.5-inch vertical
  • 10-foot-6 broad jump
  • 8.86 RAS

Round 3, Pick 71 – Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo

Rush, block, run routes, catch, whatever you need from a running back, Skattebo can do. The Sun Devils rusher is a playmaker through and through and has the attitude to go along with it. There’s no play he feels like he can’t take to the house. That kind of mentality in the backfield, blended with a similar attitude from McMillan on the perimeter, would be a major benefit for New Orleans. The 5-foot-9, 219-pound running back may appear small on paper due to his height, but he plays much bigger and would be an immediate impact player in New Orleans.

2024 stats:

  • 293 rushes
  • 1,711 rushing yards
  • 21 touchdown runs
  • 45 receptions
  • 605 receiving yards
  • 3 touchdown catches

Combine workout numbers:

  • 39.5-inch vertical
  • 10-foot-3 broad

Round 3, Pick 93 – Georgia OL Tate Ratledge

New Orleans has not yet found its next starter at left guard. If that persists up until the draft, there are some options throughout the mid-rounds. Ratledge is one of the better options. He moves extremely well and has good size at 6-foot-6, 308 pounds. He has experience in blocking in balanced and multiple schemes, which is the direction new head coach Kellen Moore would likely look to take the offense. Ratledge will have some adjustments to make at the next level, but he could be an early-career starter for New Orleans.

2024 stats:

  • 500 offensive snaps
  • 1 sack allowed
  • 2 QB hits allowed
  • 4 hurries allowed

Combine workout numbers:

  • 4.97 40-yard-dash
  • 32-inch vertical
  • 9-foot-5 broad
  • 7.38 3-cone
  • 9.98 RAS

Round 4, Pick 112 – Clemson LB Barrett Carter

Carter is a bit undersized at 6-foot, 231 pounds, but his athleticism and smarts make him a great depth option, particularly as a coverage-based inside linebacker. While he grows and develops, Davis and Werner would man the inside, allowing Carter to not be thrown into action too soon. His speed and agility make him a good special teams contributor in the meanwhile.

2024 stats:

  • 82 total tackles (11 for a loss)
  • 3.5 sacks
  • 7 passes defended
  • 1 fumble recovery

Combine workout numbers:

  • 4.64u 40-yard-dash (Pro Day)
  • 34.5-inch vertical
  • 9-foot-8 broad
  • 4.41 shuttle
  • 6.97u RAS

Round 4, Pick 131 – Washington State WR Kyle Williams

This pick was almost a tight end, but after the re-signing of Juwan Johnson, the Saints have to find a way to make sure he’s the feature guy at the position. So instead, Williams is the pick to provide an unmatched yards after catch threat for Moore’s offense. At 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, he’s well-sized for the role and could be a difference maker in key moments when called upon.

2024 stats:

  • 70 receptions
  • 1,198 receiving yards
  • 590 yards after catch
  • 14 touchdown catches

Combine workout numbers:

  • 4.40 40-yard-dash
  • 36.5-inch vertical
  • 9-foot-11 broad
  • 6.24 RAS

Round 6, Pick 184 – USC OL Jonah Monheim

Utah defensive tackle Junior Tafuna was tempting here, in order to add more depth on the defensive interior, but the Saints have brought back several pieces there and acquired new talent, as well. Instead, beefing up the offensive line felt logical. Monheim is a versatile blocker that can play multiple roles on the line and gives New Orleans more youth and depth along the protection unit that was decimated with injury again last year. At 6-foot-4 and 302 pounds, Monheim has size that can work on the interior if he can build his strength to compensate for his lack of reach (30.13” arms).

2024 stats:

  • 807 offensive snaps
  • 0 sack allowed
  • 2 QB hits allowed
  • 14 hurries allowed

Combine workout numbers:

Monheim did not participate at the NFL Scouting Combine and only did measurements at USC’s Pro Day.

Round 7, Pick 248 – Missouri EDGE Johnny Walker Jr.

Depth on the defensive line with this level of talent and value is hard to pass up on. The Saints re-signed Chase Young and will return fellow defensive ends Carl Granderson and Isaiah Foskey. However, adding another piece that can contribute could be necessary with Payton Turner departing to the Dallas Cowboys and Tanoh Kpassagnon currently on the market. Walker is an athletic rusher that would be a perfect fit to stand up in defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s scheme. The 6-foot-2, 248-pound speed rusher is a candidate for steal of the draft if he falls into Day Three.

2024 stats:

  • 43 total tackles (13 for a loss)
  • 9.5 sacks
  • 3 fumbles forced
  • 1 fumble recovery
  • 1 pass defended

Combine workout numbers:

Walker was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. Pro Day: March 21

Round 7, Pick 254 – Maryland Safety Dante Trader, Jr.

Trader would be able to arrive in New Orleans and be a day one special teams contributor, should he make the roster. WIth defensive backs Ugo Amadi and Shemar Jean-Charles either on the market or signed elsewhere, the team could stand to add some special teams talent in the draft and in undrafted free agency. The 5-foot-10 and 196 pound safety has some ball production in his history as well, so developing into a defensive contributor could come down the line.

2024 stats:

  • 53 total tackles
  • 21.7% forced incompletion rate
  • 1 interceptions
  • 4 passes defended

Combine workout numbers:

  • 4.43 40-yard-dash
  • 13 bench reps
  • 32.5-inch vertical
  • 10-foot-6 broad jump
  • 8.86 RAS
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