After ending the season 5-12, the New Orleans Saints found themselves in a familiar spot: not in the playoffs, but not bad enough to have a top pick in the draft. New Orleans’ record earned them the ninth-overall pick, and while elite prospects can be drafted then, all of the top quarterbacks are usually off the board, and that’s what the Saints need.
In most drafts, the best quarterback prospects are usually selected in the top five picks. There are the occasional drafts like 2024, when six quarterbacks went in the first 12 picks, but 2025 isn’t expected to be like that. Most draft analysts see two quarterbacks, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, going in the top 10.
While the expectations is that they’ll both be off the board in the top six picks, there’s also a growing belief that one, or both, could slide. Many people have argued that neither is a lock for the top five, and if that happens to be true, it would be good news for the Saints.
In the event that one of the top quarterback prospects is available at No. 9, New Orleans would have to ask itself is this the year to draft a first-round quarterback— something the team hasn’t done since selecting Archie Manning in 1971.
Should Saints select a quarterback in the first round if the top prospects slide?
On one hand, some would argue it’s a reason the quarterback is still available at No. 9, especially with so many quarterback-needy teams picking ahead of the Saints. If they all passed on the prospect, a case could be made he’s not worth being selected in the top 10. On the other hand, it can be argued that New Orleans rarely has a shot at first-round quarterbacks, so the team should absolutely make the selection if one falls into its lap.
Both arguments definitely have some merit, but ultimately, that’s why teams must do their own evaluations. Every franchise and coaching staff could see something different in prospects. Not many anticipated Michael Penix Jr. going eighth overall or Bo Nix going at 12, but it’s safe to say both the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos are happy with their selections.
That’s why, with the combine coming up, it’s important for the Saints to get to know these quarterback prospects. No one knows what’s going to happen on draft night, so whether it’s at pick No. 9, or anywhere else in the draft, New Orleans must be prepared to make a decision on a quarterback prospect.