The New Orleans Saints find themselves with a major question mark at quarterback ahead of the 2025 NFL season thanks to an injury to veteran Derek Carr.
Carr is reportedly dealing with a shoulder injury that could require surgery and puts his readiness for at least the start of the season in doubt. As a result, the belief has been that the Saints could be even more hellbent on landing a quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft.
Many analysts have connected the Saints to Shedeur Sanders with the No. 9 overall pick, but ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that New Orleans is believed to be interested in an offensive or defensive lineman in that spot.
Adding to that, Schefter was told by an unnamed personnel executive that the Saints are "hot and heavy" on Jaxson Dart, although it looks like New Orleans is more keen on grabbing him on Day 2, and quite possibly in the second round.
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. The belief is they want to draft a quarterback -- just maybe not at No. 9, and maybe not 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. They have an equally strong need on defense, and had a contingent of officials -- including Moore, assistant general manager Jeff Ireland and defensive coordinator Brandon Staley -- in Athens, Georgia, on Thursday to visit with defenders Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams, both of whom are projected to be first-round picks.
Dart would figure to be squarely in play for the Saints' next pick, whether that's in the second round (No. 40) or a trade-up. An 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.
If Carr isn't ready for the start of the season, the Saints are facing a situation in which they'd have to start Jake Haener or Spencer Rattler, neither of whom are considered starting-caliber signal-callers. But, regardless of Carr's status, New Orleans needs to add a possible long-term solution under center.
Sanders is one of the most polarizing prospects in this year's draft and projections have him going anywhere from No. 3 to the New York Giants, to No. 21 to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Saints could very well get a crack at him at No. 9, but Schefter's report seems to suggest they'll pass.
Dart's stock has been ascending since the end of the 2024 college football season and the Ole Miss product has been projected to go as high as the top 10. However, there's also a good chance he falls to Day 2, where the Saints will be in striking distance to draft him from their spot, or trade up for him.
With so many holes up and down the roster, the Saints could go in several different directions with their first-round pick, but if they don't spend it on a quarterback, we would expect their crosshairs to firmly be on Dart in Round 2.
