The New Orleans Saints hold the ninth pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and what they do with it is truly anyone's guess. Will a top quarterback fall to them? Will they be able to bolster the offensive line? What about adding help on the defensive side of the ball?
In one of the mock drafts, the Saints take a massive swing by moving up to the fifth overall pick and landing who they hope would be their quarterback of the future. In another, they stay put and manage to get a massive steal to bolster their offensive line. A third mock draft has them going with a defensive player. Again, all over the board here for the Saints' ninth overall pick.
Saints could go in any direction with ninth pick in 2025 NFL Draft
CBS Sports: Shedeur Sanders, QB (Colorado)
Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports has the Saints swinging for the fences in his latest mock draft, trading up four spots to snag Colorado's Shedeur Sanders. While some have still projected Sanders to go to the Browns with the second overall pick, he's been falling in recent mock drafts.
While the Saints still have Derek Carr under contract, he's not the quarterback of the future in the Big Easy so if Kellen Moore likes Sanders as a prospect, this wouldn't be a crazy move for him and the front office to pull off. Benjamin noted that the Saints might not even need to move up to get Sanders but do so just to play it safe.
"The Saints might be able to sit tight and get Sanders at No. 9 overall. They could also leapfrog the Raiders just to be safe, giving new coach Kellen Moore a traditional pocket passer to develop behind Derek Carr. New Orleans needs an arm of the future."
Grade: B-
NBC Sports: Will Campbell, OL (LSU)
Connor Rogers of NBC Sports had NOLA staying put and getting rewarded handsomely, as Will Campbell slides to them in his mock draft. This would be a dream come true for Saints fans. Not only would they be getting an LSU guy to add to their roster, which is always a thrill for Saints fans, but they'd be adding to a position of need and get a steal in the process. Campbell has typically been mocked in the top five so landing him with the ninth pick would be a massive win for New Orleans.
"In this scenario Campbell slots right into left guard for New Orleans, where I think his ceiling is highest. A duo of him and last year’s first-rounder Taliese Fuaga is an easy pathway to punching the opposition in the mouth in the run game."
Grade: A+
Pro Football Network: Jalon Walker, EDGE (Georgia)
Pro Football Network was the only mock draft to link the Saints to a defensive player, connecting them to Jalon Walker out of Georgia. Walker tallied 6.5 sacks during his final year with the Bulldogs and would give the Saints some oomph in their pass-rush. It's worth noting that both Ashton Jeanty and Mason Graham are still on the board here.
"Walker’s quick feet and acceleration make him a handful for offensive linemen to keep up with. The Saints only generated a measly 39 sacks in 2024, so adding the speed of Walker would significantly improve their pass rush. He also comes with off-ball versatility that could allow New Orleans to get creative up front."
Grade: B+