With the 2025 NFL Draft just two months away, it’s time to start predicting each NFL team’s first-round draft selections.
In this article, we will analyze the New Orleans Saints’ top positions of need, examine certain prospects, and grade how realistic drafting these prospects in the first round is for the Saints.
SAINTS’ POSITIONS OF NEED
Coming off a horrific season of 5-12, one could argue New Orleans needs every position on the roster. Although that may sound far-fetched, it happens to be the case. The Saints quite literally have needs at every position and can go any route they want in the draft.
However, two positions seem to be in dire need of attention: Defensive Line and Wide Receiver.
Defensive Line
The most glaring struggle that shook the Saints in 2024 was the inability to stop the run.
This has been apparent for two seasons now. In 2023, the Saints surrendered 119.9 rushing yards per game. In 2024, that number dropped even lower, with the Saints allowing an average of 141.4 rush yards per game. This average was the second-worst in the NFL— only better than the Carolina Panthers (179.8).
In total, the Saints ranked 30th in Run Stop Win Rate (RSWR) at 28% in 2024. With numbers like these, it’s clear the Saints need to find their guy on the defensive front who can stop opposing teams from running all over them. Doing so would greatly help the defense succeed and prevent scoring.
Although not as atrocious as their rushing yards per game allowed, the Saints still only ranked 20th in the league this past season in sacks with 39.0. With an aging Cam Jordan who looks less like his past self every season and with Chase Young being a free agent, it is imperative to get another edge rusher who can take over and be productive in pressure rates and sacks.
Wide Receiver
At a glance, it may seem that the Saints do not have a need at WR. You have guys like Chris Olave, who is a borderline top-15 receiver. You have Rashid Shaheed, one of, if not the best deep threats in the NFL alongside him. And you may just bring back Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who proved to be the best signing for the Saints last year.
As a trio, they hauled in 69 catches for 1,134 yards and eight touchdowns. However, they also all suffered injuries the entire season. Olave was concussed two times this season, Shaheed tore his meniscus, and MVS dealt with a lower back injury toward the end of the season.
When healthy, this receiver corps is great. But that’s a big if.
It’s because of those injuries that New Orleans should look into drafting or trading up for a top WR in this year’s draft. Doing so will ensure you are covered if one of your current starters gets hurt while developing and perhaps solidifying your pick as a future WR1.
At the very least, Kellen Moore and Mickey Loomis should consider the possibility of drafting a top WR talent.
TOP PROSPECTS
Defensive Line
- Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
- Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
- James Pearce, Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
Wide Receiver
- Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
- Luther Burden III, Missouri
- Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
RATIONALITY GRADES FOR THE NINTH PICK
ABDUL CARTER, EDGE, PENN STATE
Carter is considered the top DL prospect in the draft, with comparisons being drawn between him and Cowboys OLB Micah Parsons.
And we all know what Parsons has been doing ever since he entered the league in 2021. At 6-foot-3 and 259 pounds, he is one of the quickest and most versatile players for his size that we have seen in recent years. He would be a perfect fit in New Orleans and makes too much sense for the Saints at the ninth pick. The Saints should do whatever it takes to draft Abdul Carter.
Last year with the Nittany Lions, Carter recorded 43 solo tackles, 12.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He played a critical part in the team’s success in advancing to and within the College Football Playoffs.
It is widely believed that Carter will not be available for the Saints at the ninth pick that late in the first round. However, after examining the teams that draft before the Saints, obtaining Carter with the ninth pick may not be totally out of the question for New Orleans.
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Many of the teams up until the Jets at the seventh pick almost 100% need and are looking for talent on offense. With this early draft being so heavy on the offensive side, Carter could still be available at nine. It depends on how lucky the Saints can get without trading up for him. Let’s take a look at the teams that draft before the Saints most likely to be looking at Carter.
1- Tennessee Titans
The Titans need a plethora of talent at nearly every position on the field.
The NFL lists their biggest needs as QB, WR, Edge, OT, and S. It’s a toss-up as to where the Titans decide to go with the first pick. Carter is undoubtedly talented enough to be drafted at this position, and if the Titans decide not to go the route offense, they could very well draft Carter with the first pick.
2- Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns, just like the Titans, require top-tier players at several positions.
The most notable of those, however, is QB. Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders (this year’s top QB prospects) are both expected to be drafted within the first five picks of this year’s draft. The Browns may look at one of these prospects as their next starter.
However, former Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett recently requested a trade out of Cleveland.
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If this happens, Cleveland could very well be pushing to draft Carter as a replacement for Myles Garrett.
3- New York Giants
After yet another abysmal season, the Giants need a quarterback more than anything in the first round. Although considered a “weak” QB class, whoever is left for the Giants in Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders is probably the pick for them this year.
If both are gone, we can expect the Giants to look into drafting an OT at three, possibly going with Will Campbell.
The Giants don’t have an absolute need to draft Carter when there are other obvious holes they need to address and fill before looking at a DE. They will not likely draft Carter if he is still available at three.
4- New England Patriots
With the fourth pick in the draft, the Patriots are in a great position to obtain a bonafide starter at almost any position they could want.
Last season, the Patriots had the worst run block win rate in the NFL and the 23rd-lowest pass rush win rate. New England wants and needs a defensive lineman like Carter, who can help improve their line immediately.
That said, the Patriots also had the worst passing offense in the league, mainly due to a lack of talent in the trenches and at receiver. New England must surround Drake Maye with as many weapons as possible to allow him to develop into a franchise quarterback. Prospects like WR Tetairoa McMillan or OT Will Campbell may be at the top of the Patriots’ list to help Maye succeed.
With both sides of New England’s team equally bad, we can’t say for certain which direction they will take with the fourth pick.
5- Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ biggest need is listed as CB in the 2025 draft.
Prospect Travis Hunter seems to make the most sense for the Jaguars at pick number five. He is listed at CB in the prospect boards and is also seen as a dual threat due to his ability to play WR on the offensive side of the ball.
Although not necessarily the best CB prospect in the draft (that title belongs to Michigan DB Will Johnson), his talent on both sides of the ball could appeal to a team like Jacksonville, who need a cornerback anyway. Why not draft someone to who Trevor Lawrence could throw touchdowns as well as be a lockdown corner?
6- Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have a near-complete lack of offensive talent outside of TE Brock Bowers.
Neither Gardner Minshew nor Aidan O’Connell are good enough to make this team great. So, Las Vegas should be aiming for a top QB this year, as well as some receiving talent.
Both Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders will likely be off the board by the time the Raiders draft, so prospects like Tetairoa McMillan, Luther Burden, and Ashton Jeanty will be at the top of the Raiders’ watch board. Loading up at the skill positions would be the smartest move for them at the sixth pick.
7- New York Jets
Here’s where things get a little sticky. The Jets recently announced that they are letting go of three-time MVP QB Aaron Rodgers.
In all likelihood, they will be looking for their franchise QB in free agency or the draft. However, there will not be a top QB prospect available for them in the first round of the draft if all things go according to projections.
Outside of Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, the next-highest-rated QB is Jalen Milroe out of Alabama, who is ranked 45th on the overall prospect board. It is unlikely the Jets will reach that high on Milroe in the first round. But, as we saw in last year’s draft with the Atlanta Falcons picking QB Michael Penix, Jr. with the eighth overall pick, nothing is impossible.
The Jets will more than likely wait to draft a quarterback in the later rounds. For now, it seems like the Jets can go quite a few places. They may look at a guy like Carter to strengthen their weakening defense.
If the Jets do not draft Carter if he is still available at the seventh pick, then the Saints should be able to draft him themselves. The next team, Carolina, might be looking to draft their OT of the future at No. 8.
8- Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are in desperate need of a franchise Offensive Lineman. Lucky for Carolina, two of them — Will Campbell, OT, LSU; and Kelvin Banks, Jr., OT, Texas — are top-10 overall prospects and ready to fall to them at eight.
9- New Orleans Saints
Finally, we have arrived at the New Orleans Saints. Carter should be the top prospect on the Saints’ draft board. He fits all the criteria to be the next Cam Jordan of the team and would instantly make the defensive front a force to be reckoned with, even if the Saints do not bring back DE Chase Young.
It’s not the most probable pick, as we’ve seen, but the Saints’ decision to pick Carter with the ninth pick (barring any trades) gets a rationality grade of C-.
MASON GRAHAM, DT, MICHIGAN
Mason Graham is the fifth overall prospect in the 2025 NFL draft.
Graham had 24 solo tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2024. While he is not necessarily the most productive in filling up the stat sheet, he is excellent at stuffing lanes and stopping the run, which is perhaps the biggest need of the Saints. The rush defense is ultimately what contributed most to the extension of leads by opponents last season. Graham would immediately boost the rush defense of the Saints and complement the playstyle of second-year DT Bryan Bresee.
In today’s NFL, it is of the utmost importance to have two guys complement each other on the defensive line. Like how Trey Hendrickson benefited from Cam Jordan’s gravity when they played together a few years ago, Graham and Bresee could be a dominant force in the interior defensive line.
This pick probably makes the most sense to Kellen Moore and the front office, and for that reason, the rationality grade of drafting Mason Graham with the ninth overall pick is an A+.
JAMES PEARCE, JR., EDGE, TENNESSEE
Pearce is 6-foot-5, 243 pounds, and a force to be reckoned with.
He may not be as heavy as Abdul Carter, but his strength is capable of flattening any opposing Offensive Lineman into a pancake. In 2024, he had 23 solo tackles with 7.5 sacks and one forced fumble. Pearce was at the forefront of a Tennessee defense that had been rolling throughout the season. He could help propel the Saints in sacks and tackles for loss if drafted. He should easily be available with the ninth pick.
The rationality grade of drafting Pearce is an A-.
TETAIROA MCMILLAN, WR, ARIZONA
Tetairoa McMillan is a beast.
Coming in at 6-foot-5 and 212 pounds, he is the perfect build for a starting NFL WR1. With that height, he can jump over almost any DB and snag the ball with some of the best hands in the game. He also possesses insane YAC ability. Last season for the Wildcats, he had 84 receptions for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns— a lethal force on the field.
A player with McMillan’s physical attributes is bound to be an NFL star. However, it is unlikely that the Saints will see McMillan’s name on the board at number nine. Teams like New England and Las Vegas could be looking to upgrade at the WR position, and it’s hard to believe any team looking for a WR that early will pass on McMillan.
However, recent reports have shown that McMillan’s value has been dropping. Teams believe he lacks the route-running capabilities for his skills to transfer to the NFL. His height, stature, and YAC abilities are the main things that keep his name high on the prospect board.
Overall, the rationality grade of the Saints drafting McMillan at the ninth pick is a D+.
LUTHER BURDEN III, WR, MISSOURI
Now, here is a prospect that is likely to be there at nine for the Saints.
As one of the highest-ranked WRs in this draft class, Burden caught 61 passes for 676 yards and six touchdowns last season with the Tigers. Not as impressive of stats as McMillan, but in 2023 he had 86 catches for 1,212 for nine touchdowns. His physical skills also make him the top-ranked WR according to the NFL Combine site, despite his down year.
He would, just like McMillan, be a day-one starter on the team, but his height of 5-foot-11 may be concerning to the front office. Typically, teams prefer receivers that are a bit taller, but Olave is only an inch taller than Burden, standing at 6-foot-0. As long as the talent is there — which it is — Burden should be an early first-round pick this year.
However, Burden does not make the most sense here, sheerly because his style of play is so similar to that of Olave.
The rationality grade of the Saints drafting Burden is a C+.
EMEKA EGBUKA, WR, OHIO STATE
It seems as if these Ohio State WRs just continue to get better every year.
First, it was Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, then Marvin Harrison, Jr., and now Emeka Egbuka. Arguably better than some of the WRs before him at OSU, Egbuka stands at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds. In 2024, he was an elite receiving option for the Buckeyes, totaling 1,011 yards with 10 touchdowns on 81 receptions.
Egbuka has elite ball-tracking and great route-running abilities that would work great alongside former Buckeye Chris Olave. However, Egbuka is ranked near the lower end of first-round draft prospects, and it is unlikely the Saints would use their early-round pick on an end-of-round player.
It makes sense roster-wise, but it is too high of a reach to take Egbuka at nine.
The rationality of the Saints drafting Egbuka is a D+.
FINAL NOTES
It makes more sense for the Saints to go after a defensive lineman early in this draft.
All of the WR options available are either ranked too low to justify drafting them at the ninth pick or will be gone before the Saints can draft them.
The Saints should look at day two of the draft for a WR. The differences between WR talents from day one to day two are less than those between DL.
Having this premium of a pick is a blessing for the Saints, and New Orleans has the future in its hands. With the ninth pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints select…
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