The 2025 NFL Draft is now just one day away, and with the anticipation at a fever pitch, Sports View 360 presents our final seven-round Saints mock draft.
This mock is crafted by examining how New Orleans has historically approached the draft under general manager Mickey Loomis. While rumors continue to swirl regarding what position the Saints may address with the No. 9 overall pick—ranging from potential quarterback selections like Shedeur Sanders or Jaxson Dart to fortifying both sides of the trenches—the truth is, no one outside of Airline Drive truly knows what the Saints’ brain trust is planning.
We know this: the Saints tend to lean on a blend of best-player-available strategy with an eye toward long-term positional need. This mock is based on that foundation—marrying recent roster needs with Pro Football & Sports Network’s (PFSN) scouting analysis and tailoring those profiles to how each prospect would fit New Orleans’ 2025 blueprint.
Round 1, Pick 9 – Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Scouting Profile (via PFSN):
Kelvin Banks Jr. is an athletic, powerful offensive lineman with elite movement skills and the ability to dominate defenders in both run and pass sets. He’s a fluid mover with quick feet, great initial explosion, and the demeanor of a future Pro Bowl tackle.
Why it Fits:
With Ryan Ramczyk’s retirement and the recent announcement that the team will not pick up the fifth-year option on Trevor Penning, the Saints desperately need a long-term answer at tackle. Banks can start immediately on either side and has the versatility to kick inside if needed. His combination of athleticism, leadership, and toughness gives Kellen Moore a stable blindside protector or a forceful right tackle in case of future OL reshuffling.
Round 2, Pick 40 – Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville
Scouting Profile (via PFSN):
A 7th-year senior with solid production, Shough has dealt with injuries throughout his career but flashed NFL-level arm talent and competitiveness at Louisville in 2024. He’s athletic, mobile, and aggressive, pushing the ball downfield.
Why it Fits:
With Derek Carr’s shoulder injury looming and uncertainty at the quarterback position, Shough adds a developmental QB with starter traits. He’s older but polished in mental processing and fits well in Kellen Moore’s play-action-heavy system. If Spencer Rattler doesn’t seize the role early, Shough provides another viable in-house option.
Round 3, Pick 71 – Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
Scouting Profile (via PFSN):
At 6’4″ and over 210 pounds, Higgins is a physical, reliable target with great contested catch ability and strong after-the-catch upside. While not an elite separator, he’s a dependable option in the red zone and over the middle.
Why it Fits:
The physical outside presence of Michael Thomas is gone, and the Saints need a complementary piece next to Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Higgins gives the offense a physical presence in the slot or Z-position. His ability to win tough matchups and contribute as a red-zone threat makes him ideal for a young or developing quarterback.
Round 3, Pick 93 (from WAS) – Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech
Scouting Profile (via PFSN):
Strong is a fluid, physical corner who excels in man coverage and has the IQ to play in zone. His ball-tracking and instincts stand out, but he must consistently add mass to win physical battles.
Why it Fits:
With Paulson Adebo now in New York and uncertainty behind Kool-Aid McKinstry and Alontae Taylor, Strong adds needed depth and developmental upside. He can rotate in immediately and eventually challenge for starting duties on the outside or in sub-packages.
Round 4, Pick 112 – Tyler Baron, EDGE, Miami
Scouting Profile (via PFSN):
Baron combines explosiveness with a powerful frame and solid bend at the top of his rush. He’s a disruptive presence with both run-stopping and pass-rushing upside, though he still needs to refine his hand usage.
Why it Fits:
Cam Jordan is on the back-nine of his career, and edge containment is the defense’s biggest weakness (per PFSN’s analytics). Baron brings high-upside athleticism and power to the Saints’ front. He can develop behind Chase Young and Carl Granderson while carving out a rotational role early on.
Round 4, Pick 131 – Cody Simon, LB, Ohio State
Scouting Profile (via PFSN):
Simon is a fluid, instinctive linebacker with excellent sideline-to-sideline speed and above-average blitz ability. His coverage skills are solid, though not elite, but he brings consistency and smarts to the second level.
Why it Fits:
Demario Davis continues to win his battle with Father Time, but depth is needed behind Pete Werner. Simon can step in as a future starter and sub-package contributor now. He fits the mold of modern linebackers who can run, cover, and blitz effectively.
Round 6, Pick 184 – Marcus Tate, OG, Clemson
Scouting Profile (via PFSN):
Tate is a four-year starter with excellent balance, athleticism, and technique. His consistency in pass protection is notable—no sacks allowed in two years—but he must clean up pad level and leverage issues.
Why it Fits:
The Saints need guard depth behind Cesar Ruiz and Nick Saldiveri, especially with health questions lingering. Tate could become an eventual starter or, at worst, a reliable swing guard in 2025.
Round 7, Pick 248 – Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia
Scouting Profile (via PFSN):
Etienne is a twitchy, agile runner with breakaway speed and solid hands out of the backfield. Slightly undersized, but his vision, balance, and burst allow him to create chunk plays.
Why it Fits:
With Alvin Kamara having two years left on his current deal and Kendre Miller’s durability still in question, Etienne offers a fresh burst and could carve out a role on third downs or as a complementary runner in year one.
Round 7, Pick 254 – Dante Trader Jr., S, Maryland
Scouting Profile (via PFSN):
Trader is a savvy, versatile safety with strong fundamentals, low missed-tackle rates, and reliable range in zone coverage. He can play both free and strong safety and has special team values.
Why it Fits:
The Saints lost Will Harris to Washington and need depth behind Tyrann Mathieu and Josh Reid. Trader brings energy, sound tackling, and multi-positional potential to the back end.
Our final mock draft gives the Saints a class that builds toward roster flexibility and long-term stability. With Carr’s status in flux and the team trying to stay competitive while ushering in a new era under Kellen Moore, this haul emphasizes versatility, upside, and depth at premium positions.
New Orleans addresses nearly every major hole on the roster without sacrificing future capital, and with four picks in the top 100, this draft could be the building block to a new chapter in Saints football.
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