ESPN predicts the Saints will target a star defensive prospect in 2025 Draft

The New Orleans Saints are entering their Week 12 bye with a 4-7 record. Typically, when teams have lost this many games with so much of the season remaining, fans turn their attention to the NFL Draft, because the franchise is likely to have a high pick. That’ll be the case in New Orleans, unless the team finishes the season strong, which seems likely after a 2-0 start under interim head coach Darren Rizzi.

Unless a miracle happens, the Saints will likely have a top-15 pick, and while that’s not as high as fans would like for the team to pick, it will give the team the chance to land one of the best prospects in the class. That was evident in a recent mock draft by ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller.

Miller predicted all 32 first-round picks for the 2025 Draft, using current standings to set the draft order— that means New Orleans would be picking 11th. With that 11th-overall pick, Miller had the Saints drafting Georgia defensive end/linebacker Jalon Walker.

Saints select Jalon Walker in ESPN’s latest mock draft

Miller admits New Orleans will enter a new era this offseason, with the team set to have a coaching search. Acknowledging this transition could also influence quarterback plans, Miller believes the decision to use this pick on an elite defender makes sense.

"The Saints could use this pick to improve a defense that gives up 6.1 yards per play, second worst in the league.
Plus, Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis will be 36 years old next season. Walker has played as an off-ball linebacker and off the edge. He doesn't have great size, but his first-step speed and power have helped him to 5.5 sacks. I like him in a stand-up rushing role in a 3-4 scheme if New Orleans' new regime goes that route."

- Matt Miller (ESPN)

As Miller pointed out, the 6-foot-2, 245-pound defender has experience as an off-ball linebacker and an edge defender. Considering his skillset, and the value of edge defenders at the next level, many are predicting he’ll remain on the edge in the NFL.

That could happen with the Saints, as they’ll definitely need to rebuild their defense, with veterans like Cam Jordan, Demario Davis, and Tyrann Mathieu all saying goodbye in the next few years. However, New Orleans will have several positions of need it could spend its first-round pick on.

READ MORE