The New Orleans Saints will keep Derek Carr around for the 2025 season, but they find his eventual replacement in this mock draft. First-year head coach Kellen Moore will want to build the team in his own image, and General Manager Mickey Loomis created cap space for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. While this team has usually mortgaged the future for short-term gains, could they finally take the long-term approach when they’re on the clock in just a few weeks?
Note: this Saints mock draft was performed using the Pro Football Focus Mock Draft Simulator. If the player was on the board when New Orleans was on the clock, they were fair game. Also note this exercise does not include trades.
New Orleans Saints 7-Round Mock Draft: Shedeur Sanders To the Rescue
First Round (9th Overall): Shedeur Sanders, QB – Colorado
Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders is one of the most controversial prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, he has enough positive traits to justify a top-10 selection in a weak quarterback class. Sanders is a remarkably accurate passer who can keep the ball out of harm’s way, which should excite Moore and Loomis. While nothing can be done about his unremarkable arm strength, he could improve his tendency to bail from clean pockets with additional reps. Spending 2025 on the bench before taking over in 2026 could give him a decent shot at long-term success.
Shedeur Sanders NFL Draft Profile
Second Round (40th Overall): Trey Amos, CB – Mississippi
After losing Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo over the past few months, the New Orleans Saints find a cornerback to pair with Kool-Aid McKinstry in this mock draft. Trey Amos is a versatile cornerback who should succeed in both man and zone coverages. Blessed with the ideal build for the position, the Mississippi product should start right away and give the Saints a promising group of young cornerbacks.
Third Round (71st Overall): Alfred Collins, DT – Texas
Former first-round pick Bryan Bresee can get after the quarterback, but he’s an active liability against the run. Alfred Collins is the exact opposite type of player, as he’s an immovable force against the run but won’t get after the quarterback. With these two combined, New Orleans should have a strong interior defensive line.
Alfred Collins NFL Draft Profile
Third Round (93rd Overall): RJ Harvey, RB – UCF
The Saints haven’t had a true battering ram at running back since the Mark Ingram days, but they finally get one in this mock draft. RJ Harvey may not be the most creative runner, but the 5′-8″, 205-pound back averaged an impressive 3.88 yards after contact per attempt, forced 69 missed tackles last year, and has the straight-line speed to blow past defenders in the open field. He’s good enough to play right away and should increase Alvin Kamara’s odds of surviving another 17-game season.
Fourth Round (112th Overall): Oluwafemi Oladejo, EDGE – UCLA
Oluwafemi Oladejo started his college football journey as a linebacker, and you can see that athleticism when you watch the tape. While he’s better on the edge, he’s still learning the position. While he may not be anything more than a rotational player at first, he has plenty of untapped potential and the right coaching staff could turn him into an above-average starter along the defensive line.
Oluwafemi Oladejo NFL Draft Profile
Fourth Round (131st Overall): Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, T – Florida
Measuring in at 6′-7″ and 316 pounds, Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson is a monster of a human being who cannot be moved by bull rushes. While his feet are a little slow, he’s a fine add in the fourth round of this Saints mock draft. The Florida product should begin his career as a swing tackle but has starting potential if he can improve his foot speed.
Sixth Round (184th Overall): Denzel Burke, CB – Ohio State
The Saints already selected a cornerback in this mock draft, but that shouldn’t stop them from double-dipping in the sixth round. From a physical standpoint, Denzel Burke has the athletic ability to last in the NFL and could even start with the right coaching. However, he’ll need to dramatically improve his instincts and overall knowledge of the game before he’s ready for anything more than a rotational role.
Seventh Round (248th Overall): Timothy McKay, G – North Carolina State
The New Orleans Saints wrap up this mock draft with Timothy McKay from North Carolina State. As expected from a late seventh-round pick, McKay has several glaring holes in his game. He’s not a very good athlete and he lacks the elite fundamentals required to make up for his physical shortcomings. However, athleticism isn’t that important for guards, and his 6′-4″, 307-pound frame will translate to the next level. He’ll probably spend 2025 on the practice squad but could develop into a quality backup and spot starter.
Main Photo: Michael Ciaglo – Imagn Images
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