Would the Saints stay local early on?
The New Orleans Saints have slumped to a 2-3 start to the 2024 season, as the hot start Derek Carr managed to get off to has been stopped cold due to his own ineffective performance and an oblique injury that will knock him out for a few games.
The Saints will not get a good look at backup quarterbacks Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler, who were selected in the fourth and fifth round, respectively. It seems unlikely, barring either of them being a massive outlier, of those two evolving into franchise quarterbacks.
New Orleans might have Carr under contract beyond this season, but that doesn't mean he is going to be the answer at quarterback. The best possible signal-caller for New orleans may already be close to home.
In the most recent mock draft from CBS Sports, the Saints will select LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. While the Tigers star has been regarded as a solid quarterback prospect in a fairly weak class, very few mock drafts actually have him making it to the first round.
Saints projected to draft LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier in 2025 NFL Mock Draft
Through five games this season, Nussmeier has thrown for 1,652 yards, 15 touchdowns, and four interceptions. While he isn't close to Jayden Daniels as a prospect, the same downfield accuracy, natural arm talent, and penchant for fitting balls into tight windows has carried over to the new starter.
Nussmeier has the arm talent needed to be a high-end NFL starter, as he has a textbook throwing motion paired with a whip-like arm that helpshim deliver the ball accurately on both shorter and longer throws. The deep ball seems to be his specialty, which will be a welcome sight for a Saints fanbase slightly over Carr's conservative style.
Nussmeier lacks great athletic ability, and LSU's offense doesn't often task him with seeing the full field like he will be asked to in the pros. Nussmeier might need to sit for a year, which could give Saints fans a third season of Carr under center while he waits in the wings.
The Saints have a few needs that can be addressed outside of quarterback if they are committed to Carr once again. However, if they want to turn the page on this era, they could pick their local hero in Nussmeier and have him marinate on the bench until he is ready to claim the NFC South.
