Over 54% of voters said…
In our most recent poll question we asked what grade would you give the New Orleans Saints 2025 draft?
⚜️WEEKLY POLL QUESTION⚜️
What grade would you give the #Saints 2025 draft?
— Canal St. Chronicles (@SaintsCSC) April 30, 2025
After 236 votes, the grade of B won with 54.7% of the vote. This is generally the feeling around the league regarding the Saints draft as they had some very good picks but also some that were highly questionable. Many thought they would go for Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders at #9 overall, but instead they opted for Texas OT Kelvin Banks, Jr. in a move to sure up the offensive line. When the Saints were strongest in the late 2000s and late 2010s, their offensive line’s were amongst the best in the league, and the pick of Banks signals that they are opting for this route yet again.
Their pick of Louisville QB Tyler Shough in the second round raised some eyebrows however, not just because Sanders was still on the board, but also because Shough is 26 years old and has had a few season ending injuries during his college career. Many grade him as a very high risk selection, especially that early and also with every QB in the NFL Draft still available outside of first rounders Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart.
The Saints went defense with their next four picks before making another pick widely considered to be a steal in Kansas RB Devin Neal. Neal has ran for 1,000+ yards in each of the last three seasons for the Jayhawks, and is a veteran back who should be able to contribute immediately in the backfield with Alvin Kamara.
In my.opinion, the Saints had a pretty good draft, as they secured players at almost every position of need outside of wide receiver. Banks should be a contributor from day 1 similar to how Taliese Fuaga was last year, and players like Vernon Broughton, Jonas Sanker, and Danny Stutsman will provide some much needed depth on defense. However, Shough will be the real testament to this class, as if he pans out the Saints could set themselves up nicely going forward, but if he does not, they may be looking at another pick inside the top 10 next year.
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