Final New Orleans Saints 7-Round NFL Mock Draft
The 2025 NFL Draft is finally here! This is Christmas in April for NFL teams and fans alike. The New Orleans Saints are one of several teams who hope that this year's draft selections can vault them one step closer to a championship.
Coming off a 5-12 season and fourth straight year without a postseason appearance, the Saints currently own nine picks in this year's draft. New Orleans has the ninth overall choice in the first round along with one pick in the second, two in the third and fourth, one in the sixth, and two in the seventh.
On March 18, I published my first 7-round mock draft predictions for the Saints. With just hours to go before the 2025 draft, here is my final full mock projection.
(see the scouting reports from Athlon Sports from these prospects at the conclusion of the article)
Round 1 (#9 overall)
Jaxson Dart, QB (Mississippi)
Recent reports have the Saints trying to trade back from here, then packaging picks to move back for a second first-round pick. That would be an ideal scenario, allowing New Orleans to fill one of several other needs and still grab a quarterback for new coach Kellen Moore's offense.
The Saints haven't drafted a quarterback in the first round since Archie Manning in 1971. It's the only time in 58 years they've selected a quarterback in the first or second round of the common draft.
Whether it's Dart, Colorado's Shedeur Sanders , or Tyler Shough of Louisville, I see the Saints going quarterback with their first choice. Otherwise, they're playing Russian Roulette with the draft board and not getting whichever quarterback Moore prefers.
previous pick: Mykel Williams , Edge (Georgia)
Round 2 (#40)
Trey Amos, CB (Mississippi)
The Saints double up on Mississippi players here, grabbing a starting quality corner out of a deep class. Amos should be an immediate contributor, perhaps starting opposite of Kool-Aid McKinstry to allow New Orleans to move Alontae Taylor around more.
Also a state champion long jumper out of New Iberia, Louisiana, Amos had 3 interceptions last season for the Rebels. He'll need to improve his tackling and channel his coverage aggressiveness, but Amos is a terrific technician in man coverage.
Corner is a need for the Saints after losing both Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo since November. Expect them to address it no later than Day 2, with Amos being my pick because of his athleticism and coverage ability.
previous pick: Xavier Watts , S (Notre Dame)
Round 3 (#71)
Tate Ratledge, G (Georgia)
New Orleans needs offensive line help. Badly. This is especially the case at guard. Expect them to address this problem with an early pick.
A three-year starter, Ratledge and Bulldogs linemate Dylan Fairchild are both expected to be Day 2 picks. Ratledge has just average athletic ability, but is a good run blocker with excellent awareness of inside pass rush twists and stunts.
Even with newly-signed Dillon Radunz , Ratledge could compete for an immediate starting role. He fills a need on a Saints interior line that got putrid play from it's guards a year ago.
previous pick: Kaleb Johnson , RB (Iowa)
Round 3 (#93)
Demetrius Knight, LB (South Carolina)
Brandon Staley is expected to employ a 3-4 base scheme, but the Saints lack quality linebackers. Demario Davis is still great, but is 36 and entering his 14th year. Pete Werner is solid, but there's no proven depth behind them and no successor for Davis.
Knight is an old-school throwback that's a little limited in man coverage. However, he's got elite ability as a run defender and outstanding instincts in zone responsibilities. His overall awareness and playing style is a little reminiscent of Davis.
Knight may not start right away. However, he adds much-needed speed, instincts, and talent into the middle of the New Orleans defense.
previous pick: Dylan Fairchild, G (Georgia)
Round 4 (#112)
David Walker, Edge (Central Arkansas)
The Saints got just 17 combined sacks from their edge spot last year. Even with Cam Jordan , Carl Granderson , and Chase Young on the roster, better production is desperately needed. Don't be surprised if the Saints do it earlier in the draft, as I did in my first mock with Mykel Williams in the 1st.
Despite FCS competition, the 6'1" and 263-Lb. Walker is a finisher with tremendous lower-body power. He's also shown natural pass rushing instincts combined with counter moves and is outstanding against the run.
Walker probably wouldn't start right away. However, he's got the combined skills as a pass rusher and run defender to quickly be an important part of the rotation as both a stand-up edge and a down lineman.
previous pick: Savion Williams , WR (TCU)
Round 4 (#131)
Damien Martinez, RB (Miami, Fla)
Outside of Alvin Kamara , the Saints have had zero backfield threat unless they line up Taysom Hill here. As a result, New Orleans often telegraphs intentions to defenses by where Kamara lines up.
Martinez has averaged 1,056 yards on the ground in the last three seasons with Oregon State and Miami. He'll need to prove he can handle receiving and blitz pickup duties and is somewhat limited in space. However, he runs with formidable power between the tackles and shows good vision and burst for open lanes.
Kamara is still the focus of the Saints attack. Martinez would add another legitimate backfield threat, especially between the tackles, and allow New Orleans to move Kamara around more often.
previous pick: Jay Higgins , LB (Iowa)
Round 6 (#184)
CJ West, DT (Indiana)
New Orleans ranked an abysmal 31st against the run and yards per carry last year. One of their biggest weaknesses was a lack of a big body to tie up blockers and tie up inside running lanes.
West won't create much havoc as a pass rusher. What he will do is destroy interior rushing attacks by pushing blockers back and eliminating inside holes. He has power and leverage at 6'1" and 318-Lbs., but also surprising lateral quickness to make plays down the line of scrimmage.
Even with the trade for Davon Godchaux , Brandon Staley needs another traditional nose tackle for his 3-4 system. West may only be an early down or short-yardage contributor, but has the frame and power to fill that role as a run stuffer.
previous pick: Nazir Stackhouse , DT (Georgia)
Round 7 (#248)
Isaiah Neyor, WR (Nebraska)
It was tempting to go with Colorado WR Will Sheppard here. At 6'4" and 218-Lbs., Neyor brings something that the Saints don't have - a big-bodied wideout. Injuries and lack of production have plagued Neyor in stops at Wyoming, Texas, and Nebraska.
New Orleans had Neyor in on a pre-draft visit, probably based more on potential than production. When he's been on the field, Neyor has flashed the ability to evade the press and make tough catches over the middle with sure hands. He's also shown an extra gear when the ball is in the air, adjusts well to off-target throws, and wins most contested balls.
Like all late-round picks, Neyor will have to win a roster spot through special teams. He does, however, bring a physical frame that the Saints don't have at the position. This also for a franchise that has had great success with undrafted and late-round wide receivers.
previous pick: Donovan Edwards, RB (Michigan)
Round 7 (#254)
Branson Taylor, OT (Pitt)
If not for a knee injury that ended his 2024-25 season, Taylor may have been a late-Day 2 choice. After he was sidelined, the Panthers averaged only 19 points per game and had a 1-6 record.
Able to play either tackle spot, Taylor also has the power to move inside to guard. This might be the long-term move for him, because he can struggle with athletic rushers on the outside. Taylor shows advanced skills as a run blocker, gets into his stance quickly, and has the power and short-area agility to be a reliable pass blocker.
As noted above, the Saints need offensive line help. If healthy, Taylor could be a draft steal who can fill in at multiple positions with starting potential.
previous pick: Taylor
Read more Saints draft coverage from Athlon Sports
Related: Why The Right Time For The Saints To Draft A Quarterback Is Now
Related: Drafting Trey Amos Could Again Give The Saints A Pair Of Shutdown Cornerbacks
Related: South Carolina Linebacker Demetrius Knight Brings Familiar Traits Into The NFL Draft
Related: Finding The Defensive Small-School NFL Draft Gems
Related: Miami Back Damien Martinez Offers Immediate Value As A Mid-Round Draft Choice
Related: Pitt Panthers Lineman Branson Taylor May Be A Steal In The Late Rounds Of NFL Draft
