LSU tight end Mason Taylor (86) runs the ball up the left side after the catch before being forced out of bounds by Florida linebacker Derek Wingo (15) in the first half between the Tigers and the Gators, Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.
STAFF PHOTO BY HILARY SCHEINUK
Though the New Orleans Saints currently hold a top-10 pick for the first time in nearly 20 years, figuring out what direction they will go with it feels like an exercise in futility.
Last year, it felt preordained that they would take the best available offensive tackle with the No. 14 pick — and they did, selecting Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga. Tackle was such a glaring need last year that it felt obvious, but this year the needs feel pressing all over the roster.
The Saints defense could use young playmakers at all three levels, especially now that Brandon Staley will be calling the shots for a different type of scheme than the one the Saints have run for the better part of the last decade.
While New Orleans has some nice pieces on offense, it’s also not hard to envision the team using its top pick or picks on any number of positions on that side of the ball, giving new head coach Kellen Moore some additional firepower. Even with Alvin Kamara coming off a strong season, that could include running back in what is considered a strong class at that position.
So, let’s take a spin through the Pro Football Focus mock draft machine and take a look at some players who may be available when the Saints’ turns come around on Days 1 and 2 of the 2025 NFL draft.
**No. 9: Arizona WR Tetaroia McMillan**
Also considered: Penn State TE Tyler Warren, LSU OT Will Campbell, Georgia LB/Edge Jalon Walker, Marshall Edge Mike Green.
The first eight picks of the draft fell favorably in this scenario, giving us several really strong options with the No. 9 overall pick. While it was extremely tempting to beef up either the offensive or defensive front, McMillan would provide the Saints the big-bodied football vacuum they’ve so sorely missed since Michael Thomas suffered an ankle injury back in 2021.
There is decent depth in this class along the offensive and defensive lines, while this wide receiver class is generally considered to be more thin than recent years. This felt like an area where the Saints could snag a potential star.
The 6-foot-5 McMillan has excellent ball skills, and would provide an ideal stylistic complement to Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. In three years at Arizona, McMillan hauled in 213 passes for 3,423 yards and 26 touchdowns.
**No. 40: Ohio State DT Tyleik Williams**
Also considered: Toledo DT Darius Alexander, Oregon OL Josh Conerly Jr., Ole Miss CB Trey Amos, LSU edge Bradyn Swinson
While Bryan Bresee is coming off a nice season as a pass rusher, the Saints desperately need to get stronger along their defensive interior. Enter Tyleik Williams, the 334-pound Ohio State product who would instantly provide a physical presence in the middle of the Saints defense. Williams got the nod over Alexander here, mostly because of his ability as a run defender.
**No. 71: LSU TE Mason Taylor**
After going with a pass-catcher in the first round, let’s give Moore another offensive weapon in LSU’s Mason Taylor. He’s not as flashy as some of the other tight ends in this class, but he may ultimately offer more for the team when combining his pass-catching and blocking ability. Taylor has a strong pedigree, as his father (Jason Taylor) and uncle (Zach Thomas) are Pro Football Hall of Famers, and he backed that up by breaking LSU’s career receptions record for tight ends in his three years there. With Juwan Johnson poised to hit free agency, this is a positional need for the Saints.
**No. 93: UGA OG Tate Ratledge**
The Saints have a hole at guard, and there may be a couple avenues to fill it. One, potentially, is to kick right tackle Trevor Penning inside — where his run blocking skill and overall demeanor may translate nicely— and draft his replacement in the top 10. Another is to use one of their three Day 2 picks on a guard. Let’s follow that latter scenario and snag Ratledge, a three-year starter in the Southeastern Conference who also wowed at the combine, posting an unofficial 9.98 Relative Athletic Score.