Skip to main content

New Orleans Saints NFL draft picks 2025: Full list of team's round-by-round selections

Jack McKessy   Paste BN
play
Show Caption

The New Orleans Saints' top team needs don't include a quarterback, but could they go that route in the 2025 NFL Draft?

According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Saints are the betting favorites to select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the NFL draft.

New Orleans currently owns the No. 9 overall pick in the draft, the first of nine total picks the team owns after trading cornerback Marshon Lattimore to Washington last year. The Saints also own a compensatory pick in the seventh round in this year's draft.

Here's what to know about the the Saints' draft outlook ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft:

SHEDEUR SANDERS LANDING SPOTS: Saints among best fits for Colorado QB

Saints 2025 NFL Draft picks

New Orleans owns nine picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. They are as follows:

  • Round 1 – Pick 9: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

Analysis from Paste BN Sports' Nate Davis: The 2024 Outland Trophy winner was nearly airtight for the Longhorns, allowing just two sacks in nearly 1,100 pass-block snaps over the past two seasons. And with RT Ryan Ramczyk finally retiring, Banks' arrival could lead to an O-line shuffle, Banks perhaps going to his customary left tackle post and 2024 first-rounder Taliese Fuaga reverting to the right side, which he played at Oregon State. Trevor Penning, who's struggled outside, might finally find a home at guard.

  • Round 2 – No. 40 overall: Tyler Shough, QB, Lousiville

Analysis from Paste BN Sports' Nate Davis: Big (6-5, 219), bright and with a huge arm, he could be the Saints’ starter next season depending on what happens with Derek Carr’s shoulder. But after seven seasons (and nearly 1,000 passes) in college, Shough definitely isn’t short on experience or adapting to new situations after playing for three schools (Oregon, Texas Tech). Already 25 and married – and having dealt with several injuries – Shough also comes with inherent life experience.

  • Round 3 – No. 71 overall: Vernon Broughton, DT, Texas

Analysis from Paste BN Sports' Nate Davis: A big body (6-5, 311) who had four sacks and 39 tackles last season and should plug in nicely to the Saints’ new three-man front.

  • Round 3 – No. 93 overall (from Washington): Jonas Sanker, S, Virginia

A two-time All-ACC choice, he made 200 tackles and defended 15 passes over the past two seasons. His sub-4.5 speed can also lead to some big hits.

  • Round 4 – No. 112 overall: Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
  • Round 4 – No. 131 overall (from Washington): Quincy Riley, CB, Lousville
  • Round 6 – No. 184 overall: Devin Neal, RB, Kansas
  • Round 7 – No. 248 overall (from Philadelphia via Washington): Moliki Matavao, TE, UCLA
  • Round 7 – No. 254 overall (compensatory selection): Fadil Diggs, Edge, Syracuse

NFL DRAFT RUMORS: Why Travis Hunter to Browns is looking 'more likely'

Saints 2025 NFL Draft needs

Cornerback

The Saints traded cornerback Marshon Lattimore to Washington, then Paulson Adebo went to the Giants in free agency. Though New Orleans spent second-round picks on a cornerback in 2022 (Alontae Taylor) and 2024 (Kool-Aid McKinstry), it's a position in dire need of more depth, even after bringing back Isaac Yiadom on a three-year deal.

Edge rusher

New Orleans' sack leader in 2024 was defensive tackle Bryan Bresee. Behind him, Chase Young and Carl Granderson tallied 5.5 sacks each. The Saints finished 2024 ranked 30th in pass-rush win rate, according to ESPN, and they'll need to be better than that if they hope to end their four-year playoff drought.

Offensive line

As bad as the Saints were at rushing opposing passers in 2024, they were nearly as bad in pass protection. New Orleans ranked 29th in pass-block in rate, per ESPN. Specifically, the left guard spot is the most obvious one in need of a more permanent solution after no clear answer emerged last year.

Saints 2025 NFL mock draft

Here's how the Saints might address their team needs in the draft later this month, according to Paste BN's Ayrton Ostly:

  • Round 1 – No. 9: LB/Edge Jalon Walker, Georgia
    • The Saints need an injection of young talent on defense and get that with the versatile Walker. With the top offensive linemen off the board, New Orleans grabs hybrid defender who can fit at off-ball linebacker and rush off the edge.
  • Round 2 – No. 40: IOL Grey Zabel, North Dakota State
    • New Saints coach Kellen Moore saw firsthand how important good offensive line play was in Philadelphia and Dallas. Zabel could realistically line up at all three interior spots and would shore up the area immediately as a rookie.
  • Round 3 – No. 71: QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama
  • Round 3 – No. 93: Edge Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA
  • Round 4 – No. 112: IOL Charles Grant, William & Mary
  • Round 4 – No. 131: WR Dont'e Thornton Jr., Tennessee
  • Round 6 – No. 184: RB DJ Giddens, Kansas State
  • Round 7 – No. 248: DT Jahvaree Ritzie, North Carolina
  • Round 7 – No. 254: WR Kaden Prather, Maryland

2025 NFL Draft: Every team's picks

Facebook Twitter Email