The New Orleans Saints’ NFL Draft plan is always unpredictable. Now, with a new regime in place, they’re even tougher to gauge since Kellen Moore is a first-time head coach. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. tried to predict their first two picks in this year’s draft, though.
Saints’ picks in Mel Kiper’s final mock draft
9. New Orleans Saints: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
If Sanders doesn’t go to the Giants, there aren’t many clear landing spots for him in the top 10 … and he could slide. I could see a team trading up for him — maybe even the Saints, who have nine picks — but most of these rosters are already set at quarterback. This is a great outcome for New Orleans, though. I like this match a lot.
Sanders is my top-ranked quarterback, and his accuracy jumps off the tape. He completed 74% of his throws last season despite being under constant pressure. Playing in the NFC South with good weather and a few indoor stadiums would ease any arm strength concerns. And he wouldn’t be forced to play right away. Derek Carr, 34, will be with the Saints for at least another season; Sanders could learn behind him before taking over. — Mel Kiper Jr.
The drop happened, and the long-time draft guru made the pick that New Orleans is favorited to make as of now.
According to FanDuel, the Saints are now the favorites to pick Colorado Buffaloes QB Shedeur Sanders. They’re sitting with +270 odds at this moment, but that number remains fluid.
Sanders would force the issue with Derek Carr in 2025, by placing pressure on him to perform. Not to mention, the Saints have an avenue to move on from Carr following this upcoming season, and Sanders would be set up to start with a year of NFL experience when it comes to practice and learning the playbook for Kellen Moore.
If Sanders gets to nine, New Orleans will absolutely consider this outcome for their future. The door for drafting a QB early remains wide open for the Saints.
A unique player because of his lineage and collegiate path, Shedeur Sanders brings a sharp game to the table. He doesn’t have the physical tools to translate perfectly and pick up where he left off at Colorado, so he’ll have to be even more disciplined as a pocket thrower to hit his ceiling. He’s a massively skilled passer and processor, though, and his developmental curve is as encouraging as anyone’s in the last decade. It’s hard to imagine him busting unless he struggles to deal with failure away from his father.
Thomas has the length and speed to contribute as a rookie, even if it’s rotating in behind Kool-Aid McKinstry and Alontae Taylor. He looked great at the Senior Bowl in January, and he broke up 17 passes over the past two seasons. — Mel Kiper Jr.
Not to be dramatic, but this scenario would send a lot of Saints fans over the moon.
There’s a piece of the fan base concerned about Sanders as a long-term QB option, but a lot of them want a change of pace option off of Derek Carr. Then, in round two, they grab one of the more polished cornerbacks in this entire draft class, in my opinion.
Thomas is a great press man CB, who plays with consistent effort and tracks the football very well. For New Orleans, I think he would immediately slot into the starting lineup alongside Kool-Aid McKinstry. Then, push Alontae Taylor back inside with notable veteran depth behind that group.
That unit would be much stronger than it looks right now with only this addition, let alone any other secondary pieces New Orleans would add later in the draft. They’ve got three more picks in round three/four combine and plenty of day three compensation.
All in all, the Saints would probably be ecstatic if their rookie class could begin in this manner.
Sanders provides a lot of long-term excitement and could thrive in Kellen Moore’s offense. Meanwhile, Thomas provides legitimate starting CB upside with a knack for making big plays when it matters most. Kiper Jr. handed them a nice start to the 2025 NFL Draft for New Orleans’ first class with their young head coach.
