NFL Analyst Predicts Saints Go Heavy On SEC Picks In Mock Draft

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NFL Analyst Predicts Saints Go Heavy On SEC Picks In Mock Draft

Bob Rose · Athlon Sports

Fri, Apr 18, 2025 ·

4 min read

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The 2025 NFL Draft is less than a week away. Currently, the New Orleans Saints own the ninth choice in the first round, four picks over the first two days/three rounds, and nine overall selections.

Led by first-year coach Kellen Moore, the Saints have plenty of needs on both sides of the ball. This has led to wide-ranging predictions on what the team's draft strategy will be, especially with last week's news that QB Derek Carr (shoulder) is likely to miss the 2025-26 season.

NFL Draft analyst Chad Reuter has published his full 7-round mock draft for the entire league. Reuter has covered the NFL Draft for 25 years with the NFL Network. Here's who he has the Saints selecting in this year's draft.

1st Round (#9 overall)

Jaxson Dart , QB (Mississippi)

Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) throws a pass against the Florida Gators. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Reuter predicts that three quarterbacks come off the board in the top-10 selections. He has Cam Ward going first to the Tennessee Titans , Shedeur Sanders going sixth to the Raiders , and Dart being grabbed by New Orleans .

Here is his reasoning for the choice.

''I considered Dart at this spot even before we learned Derek Carr's 2025 availability is in doubt thanks to a shoulder injury. Dart would be a good fit with new head coach Kellen Moore, distributing passes from the pocket and running for tough yardage when required in a way that might remind Moore of QBs he's coached in the NFL before like Dak Prescott , Justin Herbert , and Jalen Milroe.''

2nd Round (#40)

Trey Amos , CB (Mississippi)

Mississippi Rebels defensive back Trey Amos (9) breaks up a pass intended for Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Dane Key (6). Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Reuter has Dart's Mississippi teammate being drafted by the Saints in the second round. He'd fill a need after the trade of Marshon Lattimore before the end of last season and the free-agent loss of Paulson Adebo .

Amos is a press corner with excellent ball skills. He should team well with 2024 second-round choice Kool-Aid McKinstry and allow the Saints to move Alontae Taylor more around their defense.

See my analysis of Trey Amos below, at the conclusion of this article.

3rd Round (#71)

Jordan Burch , Edge (Oregon)

Oregon Ducks defensive end Jordan Burch (1) sacks Michigan State Spartans quarterback Aidan Chiles (2). Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Reuter has the Saints waiting until the third round to address pass rusher for new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley's expected 3-4 scheme.

Probably most effective as a stand-up edge, Burch had 8.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss with the Ducks last year. New Orleans had only 17 combined sacks from their edge spot last season and 16 the year before that.

Burch would join Chase Young and Carl Granderson on the outside, hopefully to add some production to the spot.

3rd Round (#93)

Emery Jones , OT (LSU)

LSU Tigers offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr. (50) prepares to block against the Oklahoma Sooners. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

It was extremely rare that New Orleans drafted an LSU player in 19 years under coaches Sean Payton and Dennis Allen. Not only does Reuter has the Saints doing here, but he projects another Tiger to New Orleans in Day 3.

A right tackle at LSU, Jones is a bully as a run blocker but erratic in pass protection. He could be viewed as a replacement for Trevor Penning , who may be a free agent at the end of the year if the Saints do not pick up his fifth-year option next month.

Offensive line is a major need for New Orleans, but more at guard than tackle. Reuter had the Saints targeting Jones, even with guards Wyatt Milum (West Virginia) and Dylan Fairchild (Georgia) still on the board.

Here are Reuter's Day 3 predictions for New Orleans.

UCF Knights running back RJ Harvey (7) runs the ball for a touchdown against the West Virginia Mountaineers. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

4th Round (#112)

• RJ Harvey , RB (UCF)

4th Round (#131)

• Isaiah Neyor , WR (Nebraska)

6th Round (#184)

• Miles Frazier, G (LSU)

7th Round (#248)

• Rylie Mills , DT (Notre Dame)

7th Round (#254)

• Kelly Akharaiyi, WR (Mississippi State)

Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Isaiah Neyor (18) catches a pass against the UTEP Miners. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Harvey is an underrated but highly productive and physical back. He could provide a much-needed between the tackles complement to Alvin Kamara .

Neyor is an interesting selection. He didn't produce much at either Texas or Nebraska. However, he's a big wideout with a huge wingspan and tremendous explosiveness. A reach here, but one with upside.

A three-year starter, Frazier is a mauler and decent technician with very limited agility. He could be a potential steal if he falls this late and should at least provide competition for Cesar Ruiz and newly-signed Dillon Radunz at guard.

The 2025 NFL Draft begins with the first round next Thursday night, April 24. Rounds 2 and 3 will he held Friday evening, with rounds 4-7 concluding the draft on Saturday afternoon.

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