2025 NFL Offseason: New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints (Last Year: 5-12)

NFL Draft Team Grade: B- Grade

Goals Entering the 2025 NFL Draft: The Saints’ plans radically changed in the wake of the Derek Carr news. Carr may miss all of 2025, so the Saints finally find themselves in rebuild mode, which should have been the case years ago. The team will likely give Spencer “The Silver Snake” Rattler a chance to prove himself, so quarterback can wait until next year if the Silver Snake fails. In the meantime, the Saints must address the trenches. Their offensive line is in shambles, while their pass rush was very lackluster last year. Cornerback also happens to be a big position of need.

2025 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Kellen Moore made it very clear that he’s not a believer in “the Silver Snake” by using a second-round pick on Tyler Shough despite Shedeur Sanders being available. Shough has great tools, but he’s old and has never put them together on a consistent basis. Perhaps Moore can get the most out of him. Either way, I can understand why the Saints took a gamble on Shough, though I am not as bullish on the decision.

I’m more optimistic about the Saints’ ability to protect Shough. That’s because they used the ninth-overall pick on Kelvin Banks. The Texas lineman will start at left tackle, allowing Tallies Fuaga to move to his more natural right tackle spot. Having a talented duo of tackles will give Shough the best chance to develop.

While the Saints didn’t find any new weapons for Shough until the final rounds, they at least tried to strengthen the defense. I wasn’t very high on Vernon Broughton and Jonas Sanker, but the Saints made better value choices as the weekend progressed.

I’d say New Orleans came away with a mediocre class. It will largely hinge on Shough’s success, so any believer in Shough will be higher on the Saints than this publication.

NFL Draft Individual Grades:

9. Kelvin Banks, OT/G, Texas – A Grade

It’s no surprise that the Saints passed on a quarterback. It’s also not a surprise that they drafted an offensive lineman. Ryan Ramczyk retired, so the Saints desperately needed to find a blind-side protector. Tallies Fuaga was the pick last year, but he’ll move to right tackle, which is his more natural spot. I love the Kelvin Banks pick, as it’ll give New Orleans’ next quarterback a good chance to succeed.

40. New Orleans Saints: Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville – C- Grade

Oh boy. The “eVeRyThInG iS rAcIsT” crowd is going to have a field day with this one. I’m not a fan of this pick. Tyler Shough is so old that he was in my 2022 NFL Mock Draft. He has great tools, but never put it together in college, and there’s a long history of older quarterbacks not panning out. I get this pick, but I’m not a big fan.

71. Vernon Broughton, DT, Texas – C- Grade

Vernon Broughton didn’t have the best production in school, but he has a huge frame and possesses some upside. I’m not surprised that the Saints are drafting someone with major potential, but they probably could have gotten Broughton a round later.

93. Jonas Sanker, S, Virginia – B- Grade

Jonas Sanker is a safety with nice size and speed, though this doesn’t really fill a need. This is about the right range to draft Sanker, but the Saints could have gone with some players who could have helped them more than Sanker.

112. Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma – A Grade

I like Danny Stutsman as a prospect, thanks to his high instincts, which is very important for a linebacker. I thought he could definitely go on Day 2, so I like this pick for the Saints, who had to add more talent to their defense.

131. Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville – B+ Grade

The Saints acquired this pick for Marshon Lattimore, so it makes sense for them to draft another cornerback. Quincy Riley is a versatile cornerback with upside, though he’s not very tall. He makes sense in this range.

184. Devin Neal, RB, Kansas – B Grade

Alvin Kamara is always hurt, while Kendre Miller hasn’t panned out. Devin Neal could have a big role at some point this year. Draft Twitter seemed to love Neal, though I wasn’t as high on him. He’s strongly built and can accelerate quickly. I had him going around this range.

248. Moliki Matavo, TE, UCLA – B Grade

Moliki Matavo is a big tight end who could contribute with the Saints having issues at tight end. He was projected to go in the final 50 picks or so.

254. Fadil Diggs, DE, Syracuse – A+ Grade

This is a steal, as Fadil Diggs was viewed as a fourth-round prospect. Fadil Diggs has plenty of upside. His production hasn’t always matched that, but perhaps the Saints can get the most out of him.

Follow me @walterfootball for updates.