The 2025 NFL Draft is a mere weeks away, and as free agency and the Combine have passed, more clarity has come to mock drafters around the world. Recently, a member of the national media put out his first mock draft of the year and believes that the New Orleans Saints will select a highly touted pass catcher with the ninth-overall pick.
On the April 7th edition of FS1’s First Things First, self-proclaimed sports media ombudsman Nick Wright revealed his first mock draft of the year. Wright, as he’ll often remind you, had the 19th most accurate mock draft of 2024 according to the Mock Draft Database in his first year of mock drafting.
Wright had the Saints choosing tight end Tyler Warren out of Penn State with the ninth overall pick.
.@getnickwright debuts his NFL Mock Draft 1.0 for the 2025 season and he has Shedeur sliding down to the Steelers at 21 👀 pic.twitter.com/8cfd4IRzSC
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) April 7, 2025
This selection comes with quarterback Shedeur Sanders still on the board. In recent days, Sanders to New Orleans has become a popular pick for analysts, fans, and sports books. However, that decision may make too much sense, and Wright has been vocal about his disdain for Saints GM Mickey Loomis’ decision-making, with Loomis’ handling of the salary cap and refusal to rebuild being his main points of contention.
"“I feel like the Saints still believe they can compete right now with Derek Carr. I think that’s foolish, but I think they’re a foolish team. Tyler Warren, not a foolish player and he should be able to have a nice impact.”"Nick Wright
Nick Wright believes Saints will select Tyler Warren over Shedeur Sanders
The Saints probably won’t be dropping any banners this season regardless of their pick in this year’s draft. Still, Wright’s choice of a pass catcher for the Saints is amazing. Warren is an instant impact player for a team that needs instant impact from this draft class. Warren won the John Mackey Award for the country’s best tight end in his senior season for the Nittany Lions, as he netted 104 receptions, over 1,200 receiving yards, and 8 touchdowns. He holds the Penn State career record for receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns for a tight end.
NFL.com’s Next Gen Stats have Warren as the top tight end in the combine in both production and athleticism, and with a prospect grade of 6.77 out of 8, he's projected to be a Year One Starter. An AFC director of scouting told NFL.com, “When you ask about the different prospects in their building, Penn State spends about two sentences on Warren because not much needs to be said. Elite player, elite character.” Warren can be a foundational piece of the Saints offense for years to come, and a key piece for whoever takes over as Saints quarterback after this season.
The 2025 NFL Draft begins on April 24th.