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New Orleans Saints linked to high-profile target in 2025 NFL Draft

New Orleans Saints

Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Several teams have undergone offseason transformations since the last time they took the field. The New Orleans Saints, who hired a new head coach in Kellen Moore, are one of them.

The Saints have lost some talented players on both sides of the ball, and they’ve added some pieces to the offense and defense too. However, there may still be one significant long-term question mark the Saints want to address in the 2025 NFL Draft, where New Orleans holds the ninth overall pick in the first round.

Related: Jaxson Dart projected to land with NFC team as a top-10 pick in 2025 NFL Draft

New Orleans Saints could target a QB early in 2025 NFL Draft

Jaxson Dart

Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

One area the New Orleans Saints haven’t messed with this offseason is their quarterback depth chart. Speculation has suggested they could cut or trade Derek Carr, but it’s far too late for that madness.

For now, the Saints have Carr entrenched as the short-term starter (he’s 34 and has just two years left on his contract, with Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener fighting for backup opportunities. Yet, the Saints have seen both their young, recently drafted QB draft picks start games and neither have looked particularly impressive.

That could leave the Saints searching for yet another young QB prospect when the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off.

And according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Saints are indeed shopping for a new franchise quarterback, possibly even with the ninth overall pick in the first round.

“The Saints do need a long-term solution. Say whatever you want about Derek Carr. Not someone who’s going to be the Saints quarterback for the next 10 years. They don’t need a quarterback, they have one for this year. But they are in a position where they could take one. They’ve done all the quarterback homework. They’ve been a heavy presence at pro days, at quarterback workouts. If there’s a quarterback they like in the top 10, for sure could take one, would make a lot of sense. Would also not be a surprise if they traded back into the first to get maybe a third or fourth quarterback and say, you can also sit.”

Ian Rapoport on New Orleans Saints

If the Saints are truly considering selecting a quarterback in the first round, then names like Shedeur Sanders and possibly Jaxson Dart come to mind. Yet, if they’re eyeing a potential trade back into the latter portion of the first round, suddenly names like Jalen Milroe and Tyler Shough become outside possibilities too, even if they’re not projected as first-round picks.

Related: 2025 NFL mock draft: April draft projections for first and second rounds

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