Offseason Overview: The Saints Load Up for a New Era
The New Orleans Saints enter the 2025 NFL Draft determined to balance veteran experience with young, dynamic talent. This offseason, they prioritized re-signing key players while adding defensive reinforcements and restructuring contracts to set up a sustainable future.
Key Additions & Re-signings Before the Draft:
Re-signed DE Chase Young – Keeps a high-upside pass rusher in the building.
Signed S Justin Reid (from Chiefs) – Adds proven playmaking ability to the secondary.
Re-signed TE Juwan Johnson – Maintains continuity at a crucial position.
Re-signed WR Dante Pettis – Provides depth and a veteran presence at receiver.
Traded for DT Davon Godchaux – Strengthens the interior defensive line.
Cap & Roster Moves:
Restructured QB Derek Carr’s contract – Ensured the team got under the salary cap.
Losses:
CB Paulsen Adebo – A starting corner who played a big role in coverage.
DE Payton Turner – A former first-rounder who never fully developed.
With these veteran moves in place, the Saints used the draft to find future stars and solidify long-term roster depth.
2025 Mock Draft Selections
1. Round 1, Pick 9 – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
2. Round 2, Pick 40 – Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
3. Round 3, Pick 71 – Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
4. Round 3, Pick 93 – Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia
5. Round 4, Pick 111 – Charles Grant, G/T, William & Mary
6. Round 4, Pick 130 – Jaydon Blue, HB, Texas
7. Round 6, Pick 185 – Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville
8. Round 7, Pick 254 – Thor Griffith, DI, Louisville
Player-by-Player Analysis
1. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona (Round 1, Pick 9)
• Height/Weight: 6’5”, 210 lbs
• Positives: McMillan is a dominant, big-bodied WR who excels in contested catches and high-pointing the football. His strong hands, route-running ability, and catch radius make him a true WR1 prospect.
• Logic Behind the Pick: The Saints re-signed Dante Pettis, but needed an elite WR1 to pair with Chris Olave. McMillan gives Derek Carr a go-to red-zone target and an X-receiver who can take over games.
2. Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford (Round 2, Pick 40)
• Height/Weight: 6’3”, 210 lbs
• Positives: Explosive deep threat with strong ball-tracking ability and physicality at the catch point. He thrives in press coverage and can create big plays.
• Logic Behind the Pick: With McMillan as the possession WR, Ayomanor adds vertical speed and playmaking ability. The Saints now have one of the most talented young WR duos in the NFL.
3. Mason Taylor, TE, LSU (Round 3, Pick 71)
• Height/Weight: 6’5”, 245 lbs
• Positives: Fluid route-runner with strong hands and solid blocking ability. Can be a safety valve over the middle and provide valuable depth behind Juwan Johnson.
• Logic Behind the Pick: Even with Juwan Johnson re-signed, the Saints needed more TE depth. Taylor gives them a future starter and another red-zone weapon.
4. Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia (Round 3, Pick 93)
• Height/Weight: 6’6”, 315 lbs
• Positives: Physical run blocker with strong hands and anchor strength. He’s a mauler in the trenches and excels in power-run schemes.
• Logic Behind the Pick: The Saints’ offensive line struggled with injuries, and Ratledge fills a massive hole at left guard. This pick helps protect Carr and improve the run game.
5. Charles Grant, G/T, William & Mary (Round 4, Pick 111)
• Height/Weight: 6’4”, 300 lbs
• Positives: Smooth footwork, strong pass protection skills, and versatility to play guard or tackle at the next level.
• Logic Behind the Pick: With Tate Ratledge already added, Grant provides another option for the Saints’ interior offensive line, giving them much-needed flexibility in the trenches.
6. Jaydon Blue, HB, Texas (Round 4, Pick 130)
• Height/Weight: 5’11”, 205 lbs
• Positives: Elusive runner with great burst and cutting ability. Can hit the hole quickly and has solid hands in the passing game.
• Logic Behind the Pick: Alvin Kamara is nearing 30, and the Saints need a young running back to groom, and Blue brings big-play potential to the backfield.
7. Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville (Round 6, Pick 185)
• Height/Weight: 6’5”, 225 lbs
• Positives: Prototypical size, strong arm, and good mobility. Injuries have hurt his stock, but he has starter potential if developed properly.
• Logic Behind the Pick: Even with Carr’s contract restructure, the Saints need a young QB to develop. Shough is a high-upside project who could push for a backup role.
8. Thor Griffith, DI, Louisville (Round 7, Pick 254)
• Height/Weight: 6’2”, 305 lbs
• Positives: Powerful run defender with a relentless motor. Lacks pass-rush upside but can be an effective rotational DT in run-stopping situations.
• Logic Behind the Pick: The Saints traded for Davon Godchaux, but needed a young DT to develop. Griffith gives them depth in the interior and could earn a rotational role early on.
Final Thoughts: Saints’ Draft Strategy and Future Outlook
Biggest Wins:
• Elite WR duo (McMillan & Ayomanor) instantly improves the passing game.
• Revamped the offensive line with Ratledge & Grant to protect Carr and help the run game.
• Secured depth at key positions (RB, QB, DT).
Potential Concerns:
• Didn’t draft a CB to replace Paulsen Adebo, but could address that in free agency.
• Lack of a true edge rusher to complement Chase Young.
• While the offensive line would be young and extremely talented, the Saints would also have four great WRs, two TEs, and three capable RBs—yet key defensive holes remain.
• The Saints still need an elite CB. Kool-Aid McKinstry and Alontae Taylor struggled last season against top WRs. They could improve in 2025, but fans may not trust that.
• The linebacker group remains lacking, with no clear future leader beyond Demario Davis.
Overall Draft Grade: A
This PFF “A”-rated draft might be exactly what the doctor ordered to push the Saints back into playoff contention. Now, it’s up to the coaching staff to turn these young stars into difference-makers.
