The excitement around the Saints’ draft pick has been through the roof ever since Derek Carr’s injury revelation.  It’s Kellen Moore’s first year as head coach, and he’s coming off a Super Bowl win, so there’s pressure to build a team that can compete right away.  But how does a team coming off a 5-12 season make that kind of turnaround? Most likely by revamping and strengthening the roster. While the team had needs in other areas, Carr’s situation might create a more urgent need at quarterback. And with the draft just three days away and New Orleans eyeing a QB, fans are eager to see how it all plays out.

The New Orleans Saints are likely drafting a QB anyway because they didn’t drop the Derek Carr injury bomb just days before the draft for no reason. The real question is: who do they pick? They currently hold the No. 9 overall pick, but at least three QB-needy teams are drafting ahead of them. So what if the top three quarterback prospects are already off the board? In a wild but plausible trade scenario, the Saints could pull off a deal with Mike Tomlin’s Steelers, sending over their second-rounder or a future valuable pick to snag Pittsburgh’s No. 21 overall.

Who do they target with that pick? Could it be Shedeur Sanders? Here’s a look at Kellen Moore’s team’s latest mock draft. 

Round 1: No. 9 overall – WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

Tetairoa McMillan, the wide receiver from Arizona, is among the top prospects in this year’s WR class. McMillan has recorded 213 receptions, racking up 3,423 receiving yards and 26 TDs over his three-year career at Arizona. The 22-year-old’s TD receptions rank in the top five in Arizona’s history. While McMillan has slid below Luther Burden and Emeka Egbuka in recent mock drafts, he still makes a strong case for the Saints. The young WR could give a much-needed boost to the team’s red zone offense.

Round 1: No.21 overall (if they pull off Steelers trade) – QB, Shedeur Sanders, Colorado 

If Kellen Moore and the Saints pull off a trade with the Steelers, they could land Shedeur Sanders, and it might just be a win-win move. The Saints can use their No. 9 pick to grab the best talent available and then address their quarterback need with the pick acquired from Pittsburgh. This strategy would let them go more aggressively in the draft.

The team would, of course, have to give up something valuable, like a later-round pick or multiple picks. The Steelers might demand future picks to sweeten the deal. And this move could be risky, but they could sign one of the most talked-about QBs of this year. Shedeur’s draft stock has fallen dramatically, that’s the reason he is projected to be drafted at No. 21. 

But it would be a crazy scenario if the Saints steal Shedeur at No. 21.

Round 3: No. 71 – OT, Will Campbell, LSU

A standout from LSU, multiple teams are eyeing OT Will Campbell. His name is floating around in the Patriots and Bears mock drafts as well. At 20, he was graded as the second-best pass blocker in the nation by Pro Football Focus. Standing at 6 feet and weighing 319 lbs, Campbell is a solid prospect. By drafting him at No. 71, the team could bolster its O-line needs. Campbell would be a good long-term investment.

Round 4: No. 112 – RB, RJ Harvey, UCF

Coming off the senior class of UCF, RB RJ Harvey had the sixth-highest number of rushing yards and rushing TDs in the nation in 2023. Kellen Moore has been doing his homework on the RB depth, and the team certainly needs one after veteran Jamaal Williams. Harvey started his career as a backup QB at Virginia, but after he couldn’t get any time on the gridiron, he transferred to UCF and also switched his position from QB to RB.

Round 4: No. 131 (from Washington) – OT, Chase Lundt, UConn

UConn Huskies OL Chase Lundt played four years as a starter for his college team. Chase played in a run-heavy offense and allowed zero sacks in 449 pass-blocking snaps. The 25-year-old could develop into a starter. Adding him would give Trevor Penning a little competition for the starting position. Kellen Moore also has the option to move Chase to left guard, where he might get playing time right away.

Round 6: No. 184 – DT, Jared Harrison-Hunte, SMU

Jared Harrison-Hunte is a defensive lineman for the SMU Mustangs. Before joining SMU, Jared Harrison-Hunte made his mark with the Miami Hurricanes. He’s an intriguing Day 3 prospect who analysts believe could challenge some veterans on the Saints’ defensive line. The 24-year-old stands 6 feet tall, weighs 290 pounds, and has a 33-inch arm length. Harrison-Hunte is the kind of hidden gem teams hope to land late in the draft. In the 2024 season, he racked up 42 total tackles in 14 games, including 9 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

Round 7: No. 248 (from Philadelphia through Washington) – CB Alijah Huzzie, North Carolina

Alijah Huzzie is a defensive back for North Carolina. Hopefully, he got some tips from Coach Bill Belichick. The 24-year-old has strong coverage skills and the ability to make plays on the ball. Huzzie is not a high-profile pick, but Kellen Moore could develop him into a strong contributor for the defense. The Saints can take a chance on him in their seventh round.

Round 7: No. 254 – S Craig Woodson, California

California’s Craig Woodson might turn out to be a sensational safety prospect. Although he is a late-round pick, he has excellent skills and the ability to contribute both in run and pass defense. The 24-year-old has the potential to develop into a key special-teams player or provide depth in the defensive backfield. Drafting him could add more depth to the New Orleans secondary.

That was the Saints’ projected mock draft. So, how do you think things will unfold for the Saints in the upcoming 2025 draft?