This is the week that the New Orleans Saints fans have been waiting for.
We are just three days away from one of the most exciting events of the year: the National Football League Draft. All of the speculation and rumors have been leading to this week. By now, you know likely know all of the big details. New Orleans has the No. 9 pick and nine selections overall.
New Orleans has a big decision to make when it comes to the quarterback position due to the fact that Derek Carr isdealing with a shoulder injury. While this is the case, don't expect New Orleans to take a quarterback at No. 9, as shared by Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer.
"What you need to know: The Saints need to get younger across the board and are buoyed this year with the capital they brought home for (Marshon Lattimore)—New Orleans has six of the first 131 picks," Breer said. "And I know there’s been a narrative that, with Derek Carr’s injury, and with Kellen Moore now aboard, that they’d take, or even move up for, Sanders. The reality?
"They’ve done way more outward work on (Jaxson Dart) than they have on Sanders, and I’d think, as it stands, they’d be way more likely to take an edge player or a tackle than they would a quarterback at No. 9. Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart and Georgia’s Mykel Williams are bigger edge players with the sturdiness that Brandon Staley has looked for, which mirror what Cam Jordan has given the Saints over the years. Banks wouldn’t be a shocker either."
A quarterback could be an option at some point for the Saints, but it doesn't sound like the No. 9 pick will be it.
Saints Reportedly 'Hot And Heavy' On This QB Prospect Ahead Of NFL Draft
It's becoming easier and easier to envision the New Orleans Saints drafting Jaxson Dart.
The Saints have been connected to the Ole Miss product in numerous reports ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, and that trend continued Monday when ESPN's Adam Schefter provided intel on New Orleans in a wide-ranging piece. Schefter reported the Saints likely will target a lineman with the ninth-overall pick but could take Dart with their next pick -- whenever it is.
"There is a belief around the league that the Saints are more interested in using a high pick on an offensive or defensive lineman, because there are questions about two starters: tackle Trevor Penning and guard Nick Saldiveri," Schefter wrote. "The belief is they want to draft a quarterback -- just maybe not at No. 9, and maybe not (Shedeur) Sanders. As another personnel executive said: 'I don't think New Orleans is taking Shedeur. I think they're hot and heavy on Jaxson Dart.'
" ... Speaking of Dart, there is skepticism about whether the Saints would take the Ole Miss passer at No. 9 -- it feels high to many around the league. ... Dart would figure to be squarely in play for the Saints' next pick, whether that's in the second round (No. 40) or in a trade-up. And then there's this: New Orleans already has made exploratory calls about trading up in Round 2, per league sources, and it's worth noting it has two third- and two fourth-round picks."
So, yeah, the Saints-Dart hype seems very real.
Thankfully, the speculation will end Thursday night when the NFL draft kicks off at 8 p.m. ET.
