The New Orleans Saints' poor 2024 season wasn't bad enough apparently because they're picking ninth in the 2025 NFL Draft. What the Saints do with that pick is anyone's guess considering they have plenty of roster holes to fill.
That's why it wasn't a surprise to see the Saints sort of all over the board in various mock drafts. One mock draft has the Saints not only picking at ninth but then trading into the back half of the first round as well and making two total picks in round one.
Who all did the draft experts have ending up in the Big Easy? Let's check out the latest mock draft roundup.
Saints make a bold trade in 2025 NFL mock draft roundup
CBS Sports: Mason Graham, DL (Michigan) and Grey Zabel, IOL (North Dakota State)
Let's kick things off with Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports' mock draft where he had the Saints not only nabbing Mason Graham ninth overall but then trading back into the first round. Trapasso had the Saints moving into the 31st spot in a deal with the Chiefs to select North Dakota State's Grey Zabel.
It's hard to find fault with the Graham pick. He'd help their defense transform over the next few years. As for the Zabel pick, it'd be bold to move into the end of the first round but the Saints could use help on their interior offensive line and Zabel would provide that. Trapasso noted that the Saints would surrender the 40th pick and the 71st pick to make this move happen so let's hope Zabel is worth it.
Grade (overall): B+ (love the Graham pick but the Zabel move could be risky)
NFL.com: Jihaad Campbell, LB (Alabama)
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com had the Saints going with what would likely be an unpopular pick. Linebackers aren't really considered to be 'first-round caliber' so grabbing one in the top 10 would certainly be a choice.
Be that as it may, the Saints could use a guy like Campbell on their defense. He's versatile and could end up being Demario Davis' successor when the 13-year NFL vet decides to call it a career. This would be the kind of pick that would get criticized right after it happened but could be looked at as a 'hey you know, that pick wasn't so bad' example down the road.
Grade: A-
Bleacher Report: Will Johnson, CB (Michigan)
Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report linked the Saints to Will Johnson with the ninth pick. This selection would make a lot of sense for New Orleans considering that the team lost Paulson Adebo to the Giants. That's going to be a big gap to fill and Johnson makes sense to fill it.
Grade: A