The last time the New Orleans Saints drafted a quarterback in the first round of the NFL Draft was in 1971, when the team took Archie Manning with the second-overall pick. Since then, the team either hasn’t needed a quarterback, or they haven’t been high enough to select one of the top quarterback prospects in a given class.
When the 2025 order was set, it seemed like that streak would continue. The Saints had the No. 9 pick in the first round, and at least five teams picking in front of New Orleans could use a quarterback. Additionally, the initial consensus was that only two quarterbacks in the draft class were worthy of going in the first round. That means if the Saints weren’t willing to trade up, the top quarterback prospects would be off the board by the time New Orleans was on the clock at nine.
Now, with the draft less than a month away, things have changed, and the Saints may actually be able to draft one of two top quarterback prospects. The Saints still possess the No. 9 pick, but the teams picking ahead of them have been addressing their quarterback rooms with veterans.
On Tuesday, the New York Giants, who have the third-overall pick, signed Russell Wilson. This comes days after the Giants also signed Jameis Winston. With both guys now in New York, there’s a belief the team could be willing to address another need with its top pick.
The same goes for the Las Vegas Raiders at six, who traded for Geno Smith, and the New York Jets at seven, who signed Justin Fields. As things currently stand, the two QB-needy teams ahead of New Orleans are the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns. They still sit at one and two, and quarterback Cam Ward is expected to be the first-overall pick, but a QB at two to Cleveland doesn’t seem to be a lock.
If Ward does go first, and the Browns don’t take Shedeur Sanders at No. 2, there’s a serious chance Sanders could still be on the board when New Orleans is on the clock at nine.
Russell Wilson joining the Giants could open a path for the Saints to draft Shedeur Sanders
A first-round quarterback falling into New Orleans’ lap is exactly what the team needs to happen. The Saints have been doing their work on all of the quarterbacks in the draft, but it’s safe to say they probably didn’t anticipate having a real chance to select Sanders at No. 9.
If that does happen, it could be great news for both parties. For New Orleans, it gets the talented young quarterback that could be the next franchise QB. For Sanders, he’ll join a team with an offensive-minded Kellen Moore, that could guide him to success like he did with other talented quarterbacks.
Of course, the Atlanta Falcons taught us that all of these teams who brought in veteran QBs could still elect to draft a young quarterback, but there’s now a greater chance that things could break New Orleans’ way.