The New Orleans Saints had another disappointing season last year, finishing with a 5-12 record. They lost four straight games to close out the season, which allowed them to plummet down the standings and secure a top-10 draft pick in the 2025 NFL draft. The Saints are in a historically bad cap space situation after a series of bad contracts, and they will need to be creative at the 2025 NFL draft if they want any hope of salvaging what already looks to be a lost season.
New Orleans Saints Needs and Draft Strategy
Tight End:
The tight end position is the top priority for the New Orleans Saints in the upcoming draft. While they are unlikely to pull the trigger with their 9th overall pick, the Saints will need to target a premier tight end with a second or third round pick. Taysom Hill will likely be cut in the offseason to save cap space for New Orleans, and it is increasingly likely that Foster Moreau will follow in his footsteps.
Edge Rusher:
Most of the bottom teams will be on the hunt for a game-changing edge rusher. The edge position is the most impactful position on the defensive side of the ball, and the Saints are expected to lose their best two pass rushers in the offseason. Former 2nd overall pick Chase Young and Cameron Jordan will be too expensive for the cash-strapped Saints to keep on their roster. Whoever the Saints select to fill those holes will likely be thrust into a starting role in week 1 of the 2025 NFL season.
Wide Receiver:
A dominant wide receiver, like Sam Darnold and Justin Jefferson in Minnesota, can make an average quarterback look great. The Saints will struggle to trade Derek Carr, and cutting him would worsen their cap space situation. This means the Saints need to give Carr a variety of targets to attack, and selecting a wide receiver in the 2025 NFL draft could be the first step in rebuilding the franchise.
How many picks do the New Orleans Saints have in the 2025 Draft?
The New Orleans Saints have a solid collection of draft picks, including the 9th overall selection in the 2025 NFL draft. They have a total of 8 picks in the 2025 NFL draft, with 6 of their 8 selections coming in the first four rounds.
Their selections this year are as follows:
- 1st Round: 9th Overall
- 2nd Round: 40th Overall
- 3rd Round: 71st Overall
- 3rd Round: 93rd Overall
- 4th Round: 111th Overall
- 4th Round: 130th Overall
- 6th Round: 186th Overall
- 7th Round: 254th Overall
The New Orleans Saints were creative in acquiring these extra draft picks in the trade market. They traded away Marshon Lattimore to the Washington Commanders and got top dollar for their former cornerback. In exchange, the Saints received Washington’s third, fourth, and sixth-round picks and the Saints’ fifth-round pick. The extra selections, particularly in the third and fourth rounds, could pay dividends for a rebuilding Saints franchise.
Potential New Orleans Saints Draft Picks 2025
1st Round, 9th Overall: Tyler Warren (Tight End, Penn State)
This one may not be possible given the Saints 9th overall slot, but not many of the teams ahead of New Orleans will necessarily be in the tight end market. Warren is far and away the best tight end in the 2025 NFL draft, and if he is still available with the 9th pick, the Saints must scoop him up. The 6’6, 260 pound tight end will make an instant impact in the Saints offense, both through the air and on the ground. He can’t run deep routes into the middle of the field, but Warren will catch anything in his vicinity and rack up yards after the catch, too.
1st Round, 9th Overall: Shemar Stewart (EDGE, Texas A&M)
The Saints may have to settle for Shemar Stewart if Warren is not available to be selected. Stewart would fill the hole left by the Saints’ departing edge rushers quite nicely and would be a day one starter for New Orleans. His size is not a concern, and his mobility is what will secure him a high first round selection at the 2025 NFL draft. He can effortlessly turn speed into power and will thrive on any NFL roster next season.
3rd Round, 93rd Overall: Gunnar Helm (Tight End, Texas)
Gunnar Helm could be a great late third round pick for the Saints. Helm has the frame needed to be a successful NFL tight end and will only get better with age. His biggest flaw is his inability to battle through contact, but this issue will dissipate as he gets NFL snaps under his belt. The Saints don’t need Helm to produce in his rookie year, and this is the perfect medium-term project for New Orleans to undertake.
