Yaccarino’s 2025 Saints Mock Draft 1.0

The New Orleans Saints received’t be main gamers in free company on account of their cap points, so the draft might be a giant focus this offseason. With new schemes coming in and enhancements desperately wanted to be made, the 2025 NFL Draft is filled with expertise that may elevate this group and alter the outlook of subsequent season.

Spherical 1, Decide 9 – WR Tetairoa McMillan

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With the Saints’ first choose within the draft, they’ll go in many alternative instructions. The roster wants expertise and enhancements, so going with one of the best obtainable participant is one of the best determination at 9. For this mock draft, that prospect is huge receiver Tetairoa McMillan out of Arizona. McMillan is one of the best pure receiver within the draft and might be a big-time participant within the NFL. At the moment measured at 6-foot-5, 212 lbs., McMillan could also be put into that “big receiver” stereotype of with the ability to make contested catches however not velocity previous defenders or be route runner. Effectively, he’s really good in any respect of these issues. McMillan can play at each receiver place on the sphere, is great in contested conditions, runs previous defenders after the catch, and creates house together with his route operating.

The Saints have been lacking a bodily receiver who can win in contested catches for the reason that departure of Michael Thomas, and what higher strategy to repair that than drafting a WR who may be the primary weapon on the offense. The Saints’ present receiver room is fairly good with Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave, however with their accidents and lack of depth on the roster, WR ought to nonetheless be thought of a necessity within the offseason. Drafting McMillan would make this receiver room the most effective within the NFL and provides whoever is taking part in QB for the Saints a bunch of receiving choices.

Spherical 2, Decide 40 – OLB/ED Donovan Ezeiruaku

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Donovan Ezeiruaku isn’t just one of the best prospect obtainable however would additionally repair a major want for the Saints. There’s a excessive likelihood the Saints make the most of extra 3-4 defensive fronts this upcoming season with a brand new defensive employees coming in. The Saints don’t have that exterior linebacker participant on the roster, and Ezeiruaku could be an ideal match. Additionally, with the potential departure of Chase Younger, the Saints want extra edge defenders. Though Ezeiruaku’s faculty manufacturing could not translate totally to the NFL, deciding on him would nonetheless closely enhance the Saints go rush.

Spherical 3, Decide 71 – OT Anthony Belton

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In spherical 3, groups can look to get gamers who could make speedy impacts however may become important items. LG is a big want for the Saints within the offseason, and proper sort out might be a necessity sooner or later if Trevor Penning doesn’t get his Fifth-year choice picked up. Final season, the Saints drafted Kool-Assist McKinstry within the second spherical, even with three beginning cornerbacks on the roster. Trying again, this determination was glorious on account of Marshon Lattimore being traded away and Paulson Adebo in all probability leaving in free company. New Orleans can do one thing very related right here at choose 71, and Anthony Belton could be that choice.

Belton primarily performed left sort out in faculty, however at this 12 months’s Senior Bowl, he additionally practiced at left guard. Belton is a improbable run blocker and makes use of his energy to throw defenders out of the best way. In go blocking, velocity edge rushers will get the higher of Belton, and he must develop methods to take care of that. This is among the causes transferring on the within at guard might be higher for his future success. The Saints can play Belton at LG for a minimum of his rookie 12 months, after which if they should transfer him to both sort out place, they’ll.

Spherical 3, Decide 93 – TE Terrance Ferguson

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Arguably, the energy of this draft class is the TE group. There may be top-end expertise, Day 2 starters, and late-round gems all through this draft. The Saints might be shedding Juwan Johnson in free company, and with the significance of TEs in Kellen Moore’s offense, New Orleans might want to add a minimum of one this offseason. Within the third spherical, many prime choices have been gone, however Terrence Ferguson was nonetheless obtainable and needed to be the choose for the Saints. Ferguson is an all-around nice tight finish who can contribute to the receiving sport and blocking. He is probably not elite in any class, however Ferguson could be a contributor on day one and is usually a vital weapon in Kellen Moore’s offense.

Spherical 4, Decide 93 – CB Nohl Williams

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I discussed earlier than how essential the Kool-Assist McKinstry choice was final season, however cornerback remains to be a large want this offseason. With Paulson Adebo in all probability leaving in free company, the Saints solely have two beginning corners on the roster, and Alontae Taylor’s greatest place could also be as nickel cornerback. I really like the potential of Rico Payton’s contribution to this protection, however the Saints counting on that shouldn’t be the course the Saints go. Nohl Williams could be a fantastic cornerback choice within the fourth spherical. Pace might be a little bit of a fear with Williams, however his physicality and ball abilities make up for that. In 2024, Williams had seven interceptions. He’s a particularly aggressive participant and can convey a bodily playstyle to the Saints. His versatility and expertise in kick returns may even enable Williams to be a day 1 contributor on particular groups.

Spherical 4, Decide 129 – DT Jamaree Caldwell

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Spherical 6, Decide 184 – LB Jay Higgins

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Some of the constant positions on the roster has been linebacker. Nonetheless, Demario Davis is barely getting older, and though I imagine he has some extra years within the tank, the Saints ought to nonetheless put together for his retirement. In final 12 months’s draft, the Saints chosen linebacker Jaylan Ford within the fifth spherical. He didn’t see a lot of the sphere in 2024, and possibly the brand new teaching employees likes what they’ve with Ford, however it might not harm to have additional funding in that place. In spherical 6, Jay Higgins might be a fantastic choice. He Is spectacular in go protection, which the Saints’ present linebacker crew doesn’t do particularly effectively, and Higgins doesn’t miss many tackles. He additionally has expertise in particular groups and has shined in that function.

Spherical 6, Decide 205 – DT Howard Cross

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Though the Saints have already chosen a DT on this mock draft, it might not harm to return to that place in spherical 6. Notre Dame defensive lineman Howard Cross might be an choice right here. His major contribution will are available in go rush, utilizing nice quickness and energy. Solely weighing in at 288lbs, Cross struggles in run protection, however the Saints may use him on passing downs. With each Caldwell and Cross chosen, the New Orleans come away from this draft with some nice depth at defensive sort out.

Spherical 7, Decide 252 (Projected Comp Decide) – QB Tyler Shough

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Quarterback is a large query for the Saints in 2025, and on this state of affairs, the group has determined to not make investments a prime choose on one. That ought to not take quarterback out of the equation for the remainder of the draft, and in spherical 7, why not take a swing on one of many prospects? Tyler Shough is an effective quarterback who wants growth and will grow to be a starter within the NFL. He has nice passing traits, first rate athleticism, and places his receivers in advantageous conditions.

Spherical 7, Decide 255 (Projected Comp Decide) – OT Xavier Truss

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Including potential beginning tackles to the roster will at all times be good, and getting a participant like Xavier Truss out of Georgia might be a fantastic determination. He has beginning potential at both sort out or guard, however there’ll nonetheless should be vital growth in his sport. He has athleticism and traits that scouts will worth.