The New Orleans Saints entered the offseason with a lot of work to do, and they have already been checking things off the list. The team put together a strong coaching staff, led by Kellen Moore, and New Orleans has also been attacking free agency. Soon, it will be time for the 2025 NFL Draft, where the Saints will hope to address several needs from receiver to edge defenders.
With the NFL Scouting Combine having come and gone, I spoke with my friend Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports Draft Expert and Vikings 1st & SKOL co-founder, about the New Orleans Saints' needs and names to look out for in the upcoming NFL Draft.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Lionel Williams: Several teams ahead of New Orleans in the draft have either signed starting quarterbacks in free agency for the near future (Raiders, Jets) or are in talks with Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson (Browns, Giants), making it look like they will not be drafting a first-round QB in 2025. In January, fellow Vikings fan and draft analyst Thor Nystrom had the Saints taking Jalen Milroe at 9 as a high-upside projec. (In Nystrom’s most recent mock, he had the Saints picking edge rusher Shemar Stewart out of Texas A&M.) The Saints just restructured Derek Carr’s contract for this season, but do you think they may go for a QB with the ninth-overall pick?
Tyler Forness: I think 9th overall might be a little bit too rich unless Shedeur Sanders is there. If you want to take a guy like Milroe, who has an insane, yet volatile upside, I think round two is a better spot. Ninth overall is going to bring the Saints a high-upside player at another position of need. Plus, the continuous restructuring due to the salary cap situation also forces their hand for a bit.
LW: While the Saints have made notable additions in free agency, their positions of need mostly remain at wide receiver and the defensive line. Who in those positions has seen their stock rise since the Combine?
TF: The biggest risers are usually guys who played at lower levels who get a chance to stand out. This year, that guy was offensive lineman Grey Zabel out of North Dakota State, but you aren’t asking about offensive linemen.
On defense, it’s about edge rusher Shemar Stewart. He is the epitome of what Mickey Loomis dreams of. He was 6’5”, 281 pounds at the Senior Bowl (trimmed down to 267 for the combine), and is an athletic freak of nature, built with explosiveness and strength for days and the perfect unicorn.
LW: Another strong offensive lineman never hurt anyone. Moving on, you covered the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama in February. Who were the players that stood out to you seeing them first-hand, and who should Saints fans keep an ear out for as possible picks in the later rounds?
TF: I am going to shout from the rooftops about Louisville cornerback Quincy Riley. Last year, I fell in love with his teammate Jarvis Brownlee Jr. with a second-round grade and he thrived with the Tennessee Titans, earning a starting job as a fifth-round pick. As much as I loved Brownlee, I loved Riley even more.
He is a ball hawk on both the outside and in the nickel. You can ask him to do a little bit of everything for you and he has 13 interceptions and 34 passes defended over his career. I’d consider taking him at the end of round one/beginning of round two, but he is likely a fringe top-100 guy based on the consensus. I would take him every single mock draft because he’s got the goods.
LW: Abdul Carter out of Penn State seems to be the top edge rusher in the draft class, with the NFL Mock Draft Database having him most likely to go to the Cleveland Browns at No. 2. Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M), Jalon Walker (Georgia), Mykel Williams (Georgia), and Mike Green (Marshall) are all edge rushers who have been mocked at or around the ninth pick. With the Saints’ need at the position, which of the remaining standout pass rushers in the draft would be the best fit for New Orleans and new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley?
TF: Take Shemar Stewart. He’s an athletic freak who can do a lot of different things for you as an edge rusher with elite size and a perfect 10.0 Relative Athletic Score.
LW: Kellen Moore has joined the Saints as the 19th head coach in franchise history, coming off offensive play-calling duties for the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles. As a team that needs more pass catchers, especially after losing standout mid-season acquisition Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency, who are some prospects who can help the Saints at wide receiver or tight end?
TF: Wide receiver should be a position of need for the Saints, especially with Chris Olave’s future being doubt with his concussion history. Day two has some intriguing guys with Jack Bech out of TCU being the guy I would target. He plays a similar play style to Puka Nacua and is really good with the ball in the air. I would also consider a guy like Tory Horton out of Colorado State. He can play inside and out and has been a target magnet at both Colorado State and Nevada.
LW: Finally, on behalf of all Vikings fans, will you apologize to Who Dat Nation for THE INCIDENT on January 14, 2018, involving Case Keenum & Stefon Diggs?
TF: No way! The Saints attacking Brett Favre stole a Super Bowl from me [laughs]. Sean Payton earned the loss by mocking the SKOL chant before the end of the game.
You can follow Tyler on X/Twitter @TheRealForno. You can find his work on A to Z Sports, SKOR North, & the Vikings 1st & SKOL YouTube channel.