The New Orleans Saints started the 2024 NFL season strong, but their momentum quickly faded. After winning their first two games, they struggled the rest of the way, finishing 3-12 in their final 15 games.
Some of this can be attributed to quarterback Derek Carr’s injury, but even with Carr under center, the team lacked the talent needed to sustain success.
While the Saints have decided to stick with Carr for another year, they ultimately need to find a long-term solution if they hope to compete for a Super Bowl. That could mean targeting a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft, and one insider suggests they might even trade up from the second round to the first in order to select the third or fourth-best QB.
Saints Want a QB, but Not Desperate for One in 2025 NFL Draft
Carr’s injury has been a major concern for New Orleans, but the team is focused on addressing the issue this offseason. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Saints have been closely attending quarterback workouts and thoroughly evaluating prospects. This suggests they could select a quarterback if they find someone they like in the top 10, or potentially trade back into the first round to target a player like Jaxson Dart or Jalen Milroe.
“They have done all the quarterback homework,” he said. “They’ve been a heavy presence at Pro Days, they’ve had a presence at quarterback workouts, they have done all the background and homework checks. If there is a quarterback they like in the Top 10, for sure, they could take one. It sure would make a lot of sense. A quarterback would not have to play right away. Wouldn’t also be surprised if they traded back into the first to get maybe a 3rd of fourth QB.
“You can also say the Saints don’t need one, but for sure, guys, they are a team that could end up taking a quarterback in late April.”
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: The #Saints are among the team's that could select a QB early in the NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/topAA9xmdM
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 3, 2025
The Saints are picking ninth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, and it’s unlikely that Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders will fall that low. Jaxson Dart and Jalen Milroe have been projected as late first-round picks, and while the Saints could take either of them at No. 9, trading back into the first round might be a better option.
However, in PFSN’s latest seven-round mock draft by Bentley Weissman, the Saints are landing a QB without having to trade back into the first round. They are predicted to pick Milroe 40th overall in the second round.
Weissman wrote, “New Orleans has taken a few mid-round swings for a young quarterback with Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler, but neither is likely to develop into anything more than long-term backups. Jalen Milroe has a chance to be a good starting quarterback in the league, and he has rare physical tools to warrant a gamble here in the second round.”
In this scenario, Dart also falls to the second round but gets picked by the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 37 overall. The Saints appear to have more interest in Dart, with head coach Kellen Moore making a personal appearance at his Pro Day, so some kind of draft-day trade can’t be ruled out.