The New Orleans Saints are projected to be one of the worst teams in the league during the 2025 NFL season, as the injury to quarterback Derek Carr and the thinning of their roster after some financial cuts have put Kellen Moore in a very brutal position during his debut with the franchise.
Even though the Saints used a very early second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on quarterback Tyler Shough, the idea of picking a quarterback very early could appeal to Mickey Loomis. Even if the Kelvin Banks Jr. pick takes them out of the tackle race, holes at wide receiver and defensive end must be plugged.
If the Saints end up making good on the very low expectations that the rest of the league has for them, look for one of these players to put on that New Orleans black and gold as Moore prepares to finally get this ship turned around.
5 possible No. 1 overall picks in 2025 NFL Draft Saints fans must watch
5. Nyck Harbor, WR, South Carolina
Yes, a player with 38 career catches might go No. 1 overall. Harbor is 6-5 and almost 240 pounds, yet he has been timed in the lower 4.3s in the 40-yard dash multiple times and runs almost 10 seconds flat in the 200-yard dash. A strong 2025 could make this freakish athlete the top skill position player available.
4. Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
If the big name from Austin is off the board, it seems like one of either Allar, South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers, or LSU's Garrett Nussmeier will be the top quarterback in this class. Based on Allar's size (6-5, 240 pounds), strong arm, and improvements in 2024, he might be the favorite to be QB1.
3. TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Every year, one freaky edge rusher ends up in the Top 5, and it could be Parker in 2026. Teaming with projected first-round defensive tackle Peter Woods, Parker recorded 11 sacks in his sophomore season and has the potential to set himself up as an Abdul Carter-like lock.
2. Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State
While it's very rare for a safety to get the "best player in the draft" designation, Downs has the ability to do just that. With elite ball skills and the ability to cover ground in zone coverage, Downs could be a player who starts right away for the Saints and instantly supercharges the defense.
1. Arch Manning, QB, Texas
While Manning has extremely limited tape at Texas, he could affirm his status as an elite prospect with a strong 2026. Over 50 years after the Saints took his namesake Archie Manning No. 2 overall, New Orleans might try to keep their homegrown product in the state of Louisiana while making him their franchise quarterback.