New Orleans Saints Rookie Forecast 2025

Saints Rookie Forecast 2025

Solid Starter

Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville – Round 2

Entering the offseason, the Saints looked like they were set with veteran quarterback Derek Carr to remain the starter in 2025. However, weeks before the draft, it was revealed that Carr could miss the 2025 season with a shoulder injury. Carr was not viewed as the long-term starter, but the injury made the quarterback even more needed for New Orleans. After passing on the first-round options, the Saints added a high upside prospect with Shough in the second round.

There is a lot to like about the 6-foot-5, 219-pound Shough as a pro prospect. Team sources say that if Shough were not as old and did not have such an extensive injury history, he easily could be the second-rated quarterback in this draft class and a top-10 pick. Shough is a smart pocket passing quarterback with good size, a strong arm, and some athleticism to make things happen with his legs. The most important trait for any quarterback to have is accuracy, and Shough has it. He throws some perfect strikes with excellent location in the short to intermediate part of the field with a very catchable ball for his receivers. Along with being a precise passer, Shough has an excellent deep ball with some phenomenal ball placement deep down the field. Shough comes from a pro-style system with experience working under center, and he looks very natural executing play-action. Shough throws with timing, anticipation, and rhythm. He has the look of a capable pocket passer for the NFL.

The durability and injury history are very worrisome for NFL teams, and they prefer players to be younger. One of the problems with Shough’s injury history is all the games and reps that were stolen from him, which slowed down his development. As a result, Shough has some things to improve. He can be late with his eyes sometimes, will struggle with pass pressure, and get antsy in the pocket. Those issues will need to be ironed out and worked on with his pro coaching.

In the days after the 2025 NFL Draft, Carr announced his retirement, which makes Shough the favorite to be the Saints’ starting quarterback in 2025. Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener did not impress in their opportunities last season, and New Orleans drafted Shough in the second round because they believe in his ability to be the starter. With some development, Shough could be a solid starter in New Orleans.

2024: Kool-Aid McKinstry, DT
2023: Bryan Bresee
2022: Chris Olave
2021: Payton Turner
2020: Cesar Ruiz
2019: None
2018: Tre’quan Smith, WR
2017: Ryan Ramczyk, OT
2016: Sheldon Rankins, DT
2015: Hau-Oli Kikaha, LB
2014: Khairi Fortt, LB
2013: Kenny Vaccaro, S

Most Likely To Bust

Jonas Sanker, S, Virginia – Round 3

The Saints had two third-round picks, and of their early-round picks, I think Sanker has the most risk. Sanker (6-0, 206) is not overly big or fast for the NFL. While he is willing to tackle, Sanker can have issues with missed tackles in the open field and has some problems with eye discipline in coverage. Sanker could be a solid backup and special-teams contributor. Third-round picks are graded as “backup-to-starters,” and of New Orleans’ early-round picks, I think Sander might fall short of that.

2024: None
2023: Isaiah Foskey, DE
2022: Alontae Taylor, CB
2021: Ian Book, QB
2020: Zach Baun, LB
2019: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S
2018: Rick Leonard, OT
2017: Alex Anzalone, LB
2016: Vonn Bell, S
2015: Stephone Anthony, LB
2014: Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB
2013: Terron Armstead, OT

Potential Boom Pick

Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas – Round 1

Over the last decade, the Saints have used four first-round picks on the offensive tackle position, and that is a major commitment of resources for New Orleans. A devastating knee injury to Ryan Ramczyk ended his career early, and 2022 first-round pick Trevor Penning has been a big disappointment. Last year, they selected Oregon State right tackle Taliese Fuaga, and in 2025, they added a bookend to go with him when they selected Banks in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

For the NFL, Banks is an athletic edge protector who has natural talent to protect the quarterback. What stands out about Banks the most is his quickness and athleticism. Banks is light on his feet to swiftly get depth in his drop to neutralize speed rushers around the corner. With his agility and smooth movement, Banks is adept at cutting off the corner from speed rushers. Banks tangles up defenders well and blocks through the whistle. Banks could stand to improve his anchor and strength to handle NFL power rushers.

In the ground game, Banks is impressive in space. He is very quick and agile to get out to the perimeter for blocks on stretch runs or screens. Banks also shows speed, firing to the second level, and hitting blocks in space. While Banks is not overpowering at the point of attack, he can tie up and scrap defenders to keep them from getting to the ball carrier. As a pro, Banks would fit best in a zone-blocking scheme.

The Saints have the makings of an excellent tackle tandem with Banks and Fuaga. While he might need some time to develop, Banks has boom pick potential and could settle the left tackle spot for many years to come for New Orleans.

2024: Taliese Fuaga, OT
2023: Kendre Miller, RB
2022: Trevor Penning, OT
2021: Paulson Adebo, CB
2020: Adam Trautman, TE
2019: Erik McCoy, C
2018: Marcus Davenport, DE
2017: Marshon Lattimore, CB
2016: Michael Thomas, WR
2015: Andrus Peat, OT
2014: Brandin Cooks, WR
2013: John Jenkins, DT

Future Depth Player

Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma – Round 4

The Saints had one of the best steals of day three of the draft with Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman. Stutsman is a pure football player with excellent instincts, intelligence, and toughness. He is a good run defender and should, at the very least, be a good backup for New Orleans.

As a run defender, Stutsman (6-3, 233) is a tackling machine, and he is very good at snuffing out runs in the tackle box and going to the perimeter. Stutsman is an instinctive linebacker who reads his keys quickly and uses that intelligence to put him in a position to make tackles. It definitely comes across on the tape that Stutsman is an intelligent linebacker who studies and is a student of the game. Stutsman has good speed and is fast in a straight line to chase down backs. Along with being quick, Stutsman is a quality athlete, showing the ability to maneuver through trash and hunt down the ball carrier. Stutsman lacks ideal strength and physicality for taking on and shedding blocks, but he has the capacity to improve at that for the NFL.

Stutsman has some limitations in pass coverage. He moves well in zone coverage, showing the speed to cover ground, and is athletic in space. He is capable of dropping and reads the offense well. His limitations show up in covering backs and tight ends in one-on-one coverage, but he has quickness and athleticism so he could improve at that with NFL coaching and more experience.

New Orleans has some quality starters at linebacker, and Stutsman should provide some excellent depth for the Saints.

2024: Spencer Rattler, QB
2023: Jake Haener, QB
2022: D’Marco Jackson, LB
2021: Pete Werner, LB
2020: Tommy Stevens, QB
2019: Alize Mack, TE
2018: Natrell Jamerson, S
2017: Alvin Kamara, RB
2016: David Onyemata, DL
2015: Garrett Grayson, QB
2014: Ron Powell, OLB
2013: Kenny Stills, WR