2025 NFL Mock Draft: Saints rebuild their defense and add another quarterback

The New Orleans Saints are riding high after winning back to back games, and they’re hoping to keep this momentum rolling. This pushes their draft position down a bit, however, there will still be some amazing players available, that could be impactful in 2025.

With the picks from the Marshon Lattimore trade, this is one of the most important, and possibly biggest, drafts in recent memory for New Orleans. Here’s how the franchise should attack it.

1:10- Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

The Saints defense has struggled to both stop the run and generate pressure; selecting Mason Graham with their first pick accounts for both of those issues. Coming out of Michigan, Graham is viewed as one of the most complete prospects who can help improve any defense.

Improving the run defense is a must for New Orleans. Currently, the Saints are allowing five yards per carry, which ranks second worst in the NFL. Mason Graham would contribute to answering this problem as soon as he enters the building. Graham turns into an immovable object in the run game. It is rare to see an opposing lineman move him into a position where he isn’t impacting the play. He uses his leverage and is able to maintain his position to make a play. Once Graham sets his sight on the ball carrier, he is relentless, instantly in pursuit of the ball. 

Pairing Mason Graham and Bryan Bresee would create a tandem of dynamic pass rushers on the interior. So far in 2024, Graham has 3.5 sacks, this is a solid number for a defensive tackle. He does a great job at implementing different pass rush moves to keep the opposing lineman guessing. His hand usage helps him move blockers and allows him to get at the quarterback.

2:43- Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

Ever since Lucas Patrick got injured, left guard has been the weakest point on the offensive line. The Saints address that here with the selection of Tyler Booker. Booker is elite in the run game and nullifies power rushers in the passing game.

Booker excels in run blocking, paving a path for the running back. He uses his massive frame (6’5, 325 lbs) to bully defenders. He can struggle with sustaining blocks but usually by that point, the rusher is too far away to make an impact.

Power rushers tend to be useless when trying to get to the quarterback against Booker. It is rare to see a defender get past him when they use power. In the Week 3 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Jalen Carter wrecked the interior offensive line using his immense power. Booker would be able to step in and help fix that.

The main issue for Booker comes against speed rushers. It isn’t a major problem as he still has yet to surrender a sack on the season but he tends to struggle with speed rushers. However, that can be improved by coaching and through repetition.

3:74- Omarion Hampton, HB, North Carolina

Outside of their franchise cornerstone in Alvin Kamara, there are serious questions about the Saints running back room. Jamaal Williams hasn’t been the player the Saints thought they were signing and Kendre Miller has not been able to stay on the field. This is why selecting a talented running back such as Omarion Hampton, would be a smart idea.

Statistically, Omarion Hampton has been one of the best running backs in college football, not named Ashton Jeanty. So far this season he has an impressive 1,422 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. It has been nearly impossible to bring Hamton down, he already has over 1,000 yards after contact. He contains a rare blend of speed and power that could make him a star at the next level.

Hampton has proven that he can be a workhorse running back, there have been multiple games where he has had over 30 carries. This could take the load off of Kamara and allow him to be a change of pace runner. Hampton is a violent rusher who is clearly not afraid of contact. He has an innate ability to bounce off defenders as if they weren’t trying to bring him down. That makes him dangerous, as it takes more than one defender to take him down the majority of the time.

Hampton pairs his rushing ability with reliable hands in the pass catching game. He wouldn’t line up as a receiver like Kamara but he is more than capable of catching passes out of the backfield. Hampton is also a formidable pass blocker. He is able to protect the quarterback when he needs to.

Selecting Omarion Hampton would give the Saints an answer to a running back room who can’t stay healthy. Hamton could learn from Alvin Kamara, and eventually take the lead when Kamara calls it a career. With his traits, Omarion Hampton could be the next great Saints running back.

3:87- Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State

The Saints have seen how quickly injuries at wide receiver can add up, it makes sense to select another one in the draft this season. So New Orleans chooses Jalen Royals, the speedster out of Utah State. Pairing Royals with Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed would make the fastest receiving room in the NFL and give whoever is at quarterback in 2025 another weapon.

Jalen Royals wasn’t initially on Utah State’s radar when he was being recruited. However, that quickly changed when he reported a 4.3 40 yard dash in 2022. After seeing that the Aggies quickly added him and never looked back. 

Royals isn’t someone who is only fast, he is also sure handed and plays bigger than his 6'0 height suggests. In 2023, he snagged 17 contested catches, showing he is a threat to make a leaping catch over a defender. If the ball hits Royal’s hands, he’s going to come down with it more likely than not. This makes him a QB’s best friend. 

Sadly, Royals 2024 season ended early as he suffered a season ending foot injury. He still ended the year with 839 yards and six touchdowns in seven games played. Luckily, his foot injury is not expected to impact his draft readiness whatsoever.

Regardless of the foot injury, the Saints should roll the dice on the speedster if he is available. Royals speed and hands make him a reliable option no matter who the quarterback is in 2024.

4:112- Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana

The Saints are going to bring in a new coaching staff, and that likely means a new quarterback at helm. Because of that, them selecting Kurtis Rourke makes sense. Rourke contains the ideal frame and arm for an NFL quarterback which could be attractive for New Orleans.

He is clearly capable of leading a team to victory. He has taken a normally mediocre Indiana team to its best start in their program's history. This is due to him being mentally and fundamentally sound. Rourke doesn’t force anything, he takes what the defense gives him. He makes his progressions swiftly and is decisive once he finds his target. His arm talent is more than capable, being able to place the ball perfectly in the receivers hands.

The biggest drawback in Rourke’s game is his inability to be a threat rushing the ball. He can run if he needs to, but that is rare. He is the prototypical pocket passing quarterback.

4:123- Jason Marshall Jr., CB, Florida

The Saints may need to invest at corner with Marshon Lattimore being traded and the uncertainty surrounding Paulson Adebo’s future. Because of this, it makes perfect sense to draft a possible answer in Jason Marshall Jr. Marshall is an ultra-athletic corner with ample experience in college which should help ease the transition to the NFL.

He thrives when in man coverage, as he is a physical corner who uses his athleticism to stay with most receivers. If he is targeted, it’s likely that he breaks it up. Marshall knows how to use his solid frame (6’1) to deny the receiver the ball. His aggressiveness works well for him a majority of the time, but there are instances where he is too aggressive which leads to big plays. Marshall will need to clean those up to be successful.

Marshall suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Florida’s matchup with Kentucky. However, there is still plenty of film for teams to look at so it shouldn’t affect his draft stock too much.

6:187- David Bailey, EDGE, Stanford

It would be wise for the Saints to bolster their pass rush in 2025, they can do that with the addition of David Bailey. Bailey is a chess piece who can be used in multiple ways and positions defensively.

The thing that differentiates Bailey from the rest of college football is his ability in coverage. It’s not rare for Bailey to line up like he’s going to rush then drop back into coverage. He is extremely athletic which allows him to cover opposing tight ends, running backs, or even receivers at times.

Just because he drops into coverage doesn’t mean he can’t rush the passer. So far this season, Bailey has six sacks and 25 pressures. This makes him dangerous as the offense has to respect him as both a pass rusher and a coverage guy.

Bailey contains all of the necessary skills to thrive in the NFL but he still needs to develop. He isn’t a finished prospect and can be viewed as a project. However, his physical tools and athleticism warrants every team to take a look at him.

7:252- Xavier Nwankpa, S, Iowa

With their final pick in the draft, the Saints roll the dice on Xavier Nwankpa, the safety from Iowa. New Orleans needs to improve its run defense in 2025 and Nwankpa excels at stopping the run from the safety position.

He is primarily a box safety, he can play coverage but is much better at stopping the run. He uses his athleticism to navigate his way through blockers to get the rusher. He contains great speed and change of direction which allows him to take the quickest possible route to the ball.

Nwankpa can drop back into coverage but he needs to improve at it. He’s got the physical skills to be a top-tier coverage safety but needs to develop mentally. His football IQ needs to be improved. Film shows mental lapses from Nwankpa that can result in a big play from the offense. If he can improve at this however, he could be a great coverage player.

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