The New Orleans Saints are certainly focused on finding success in year one under Kellen Moore with their current roster, but what if they had to offer 12 of those players up for a brand new team?
Welcome to the hypothetical NFL expansion draft in 2025.
The league hasn't had a new franchise since the inception of the Houston Texans in 2002, but the United Football League finding its footing creates a possible future in which a new expansion team could enter the picture. Let's say the league decides right now is the time for a 33rd club.
How would the Saints handle a looming expansion draft? A to Z Sports' Wendell Ferreira is taking on the task of building a mock franchise over the next few weeks, and he needs players to choose from all 32 franchises.
Saints likely left unprotected in NFL expansion draft
I arranged a group of players that I think would make sense for New Orleans to leave unprotected in a potential expansion draft. Check out the twelve selections below.
Offense
- QB Jake Haener
- WR Kevin Austin Jr.
- WR Cedrick Wilson Jr.
- RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
- RB Velus Jones Jr.
- TE/QB Taysom Hill
Haener is the clear third option at QB. I see no route to him grabbing the starting role, and the Saints could replace him with a more experienced option to provide competition as a backup.
Both of the wide receivers are buried on the depth chart, and their impact is limited for the upcoming season. Austin Jr. did have some notable plays last season, but the Saints could afford to move on from him if he did get picked up in the draft.
Edwards-Helaire is a great story in his return for New Orleans. He finished last season with the Saints, but after drafting Devin Neal, it is hard to see the veteran RB having a role to begin this season.
Taysom is the toughest choice here, but it makes sense. The Saints would receive salary cap relief if he was selected, and he's coming off a season-ending torn ACL. As he enters his mid-30s, it's a no-brainer to leave him unprotected, sadly.
Defense
- DL Jonah Williams
- EDGE Isaiah Foskey
- LB D’Marco Jackson
- DL John Ridgeway III
- S Terrell Burgess
- CB Ugo Amadi
The defensive side is a tad more straightforward. Williams was a depth signing early in the offseason and could be expendable. Foskey has been a massive disappointment as a former second-round pick.
Jackson has dealt with injuries, and New Orleans has addressed the LB position in the draft over the last two years - when it comes to depth.
Amadi is probably the most valuable player here, as he has a lot of NFL experience on special teams and at starting slot CB.
