The New Orleans Saints have several needs as we head towards the 2025 NFL Draft. Currently, the Saints own the ninth choice in the first round among their eight overall selections.
New Orleans has a head coach in Kellen Moore and have filled out most of the positions within their coaching staff. As a result, it is a little easier to do mock draft projections based off scheme and style.
John Hendrix and Bob Rose have both done just that recently with two 3-Round mock predictions. (See Below)
The NFL Network, along with most other national publications, have been putting out mock drafts since the end of the regular season. Some prognosticators have earned far more respected than others, such as Lance Zierlein of the NFL Network.
Zierlein, a longtime draft veteran, put out his second first-round mock draft on Monday. This is who he had the Saints picking with their first selection.
Shemar Stewart
Edge Rusher - Texas A&M
The Saints could try to trade out if the board falls like this, but in this scenario, they make the risk/reward pick in Stewart. Hopefully, he can take the torch from Cam Jordan, who's turning 36 this summer.
In Zierlein's latest mock, Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter went first overall to the Tennessee Titans. While Carter is expected to be off the board before #9, Zierlein also predicted that Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams and Georgia LB/Edge Jalon Walker would also be chosen before the Saints selection.
Walker and Williams have both been popular predictions for New Orleans in this spot. Zierlein himself had Williams going to the Saints with his first mock at the beginning of February, saying:
Eight-time Pro Bowler Cam Jordan has enjoyed a terrific run in New Orleans, but he’ll turn 36 years old this offseason and his sack production has plummeted in the last two years. Williams has tremendous traits/upside and fills a big need.
Shemar Stewart seems a bit of a stretch as a top-10 choice. However, he's a player oozing with potential and is rising up draft boards after a strong performance at the NFL Scouting Combine over the weekend.
Over a three-year career at Texas A&M, Stewart had 4.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. He had a career-best 6 tackles for loss, along with 1.5 sacks, for the Aggies this past season.
Listed at 6'5" and 267-Lbs., Stewart has shown both explosive burst and impressive strength. He should be able to play as an in-line defensive end for either a 4-man or 3-man fronts as well as a stand-up rusher in a 3-4 scheme.
New Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley has always run a 3-4 system, so a player with Stewart's scheme versatility is a must.
Additionally, the Saints recorded only 39 sacks from a 30th ranked defense last season. Over the last two years, New Orleans has gotten only 29 combined sacks from their edge rushers.
Given his physical gifts, Stewart's lack of collegiate production is concerning. He'll also need to use better leverage when dealing with power blockers and must disengage from blockers more consistently. Additionally, he'll need to develop better initial pass rush moves and more counter moves.
Stewart has an explosive first step at the snap, along with an impressive inside spin move to get backfield penetration. He was the raw power to handle run game assignments or bull rush and collapse a pass pocket.
Tenacious from snap to whistle, Stewart has good closing burst to the ball carrier and was always a factor in pursuit. Overshadowed by more productive Texas A&M teammate Nic Scourton, Shemar Stewart may have more NFL upside if he gets good coaching and further develops his physical talents.
