The New Orleans Saints entered the 2025 offseason with Derek Carr set to be their starting quarterback, but following the veteran’s retirement, the starting job is wide open. The Saints invested a second-round pick in Tyler Shough and additionally have Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, and Hunter Dekkers on their roster.
While head coach Kellen Moore has left the spot up for grabs, one analyst believes that the search for a QB1 in New Orleans will come to an end next year, courtesy of the 2026 NFL Draft.
New Orleans Saints Predicted To Land New Franchise QB to Supplant Tyler Shough in 2026 NFL Draft
At the moment, Shough is appearing to be the frontrunner for the Saints’ starting job. However, he is not a slam-dunk to succeed in the NFL, and if the Saints struggle offensively in the upcoming season, they could end up with a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and quickly pivot to Clemson’s Cade Klubnik — PFSN’s early frontrunner in the 2026 QB class.
However, for PFSN’s data analyst Mark Stolte, Klubnik is the second-best after Drew Allar if Arch Manning doesn’t declare for the draft, and he predicts the Saints to take him off the board at No. 3 overall.
“There might be better scheme fits for the New Orleans Saints, but I think Cade Klubnik has more potential,” Stolte wrote. “He was an accurate thrower and a solid playmaker in the pocket. He has the athleticism to make plays outside the pocket, but struggles by holding the ball too long.
“Klubnik took the fifth-most sacks outside the pocket in the FBS with 13. Overall, he’s a smooth operator with enough arm talent and good touch and poise. The Saints would be very happy with this outcome.”
Klubnik presents the best blend of dropback technique and athleticism. His release, from rib to shoulder, looks quicker than anyone in college. He may not have elite size at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, but, as Stolte noted, he is a twitchy, elastic playmaker with dynamic off-platform ability and elite instincts. Klubnik is a true dual-threat weapon with standout poise and pocket feel.
Throws like this from Cade Klubnik are why he’s our early QB1 for 2026 📈🔥 pic.twitter.com/egsirpin41
— Fantasy Trading Room (@FTRFantasy) June 4, 2025
The Clemson QB also excels in the quick game, layering throws with precision and thriving under pressure. He’s drawn comparisons to 2024 first-rounder Bo Nix, but Klubnik may be even more refined come the 2026 NFL Draft.
The former five-star recruit exploded in 2024 with 3,639 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, six interceptions, and 463 rushing yards with seven more scores. For context, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, Cam Ward, had 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, and seven interceptions to go with 204 rushing yards and four more scores, making a strong case that Klubnik could have been a top-five pick there had he declared.
Over his three years in Clemson, Klubnik has thrown for 7,180 yards and 57 touchdowns while also rushing for 784 yards and 13 more scores.
