NEW ORLEANS -- The 2025 NFL draft kicked off Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The New Orleans Saints made nine of the draft's 257 picks, beginning with the No. 9 selection on Day 1 of the three-day event.
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart
Round 1, No. 9: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
My take: The Saints didn't stray from their recent draft history, where they've selected an offensive or defensive lineman in every draft since 2015. That includes first-round offensive linemen in 2020, 2022 and 2024. The pick might not excite a fanbase desperate for a playmaker, but it was a safe pick for a team that needs to build on both sides of the line. The Saints didn't pick up the fifth-year option of right tackle Trevor Penning, which was perhaps a hint to their future plans for the position.
Will he start as a rookie? Very likely. The Saints didn't re-sign left guard Lucas Patrick and aren't committed long-term to Penning. That gives the team immediate options to get Banks into the lineup. Banks said he hasn't talked to the team about where he'll play but said he'll play wherever they ask him to. He has not played right tackle since high school but said he has been training on both sides to prepare for all possibilities in the NFL.
Key stat: The Saints were 20th in the NFL last season with 37 sacks allowed, but the problems were most glaring when the team had to start rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, who was sacked 22 times in his six starts. Massive injuries across the roster played a part in this, but considering Derek Carr's status is a question this season, the Saints could be starting a young QB this season. Whether that QB is Rattler or an unknown rookie, protection will be of key importance in 2025.
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Round 2, No. 40: Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville
My take: There has been months of speculation about the Saints' quarterback situation and whether they would select a quarterback early in this draft. While the Saints passed on a quarterback in the first round, they added 25-year-old Shough with the 40th pick, adding instant intrigue to that position with Derek Carr's shoulder injury. New Orleans general manager Mickey Loomis has always made a point to get his coaches the quarterback of their choosing -- free agent Drew Brees for Sean Payton, free agent Carr for Dennis Allen. Kellen Moore's first quarterback addition came via a new avenue for the Saints, who have not chosen a quarterback in the first two rounds since Archie Manning in 1971.
When will he be expected to get regular playing time? Whether or not Shough gets instant playing time will depend on a number of factors, including Carr's status and what happens in a potential training camp competition with the other young QBs on the roster. The Saints have now drafted a quarterback in three straight drafts, adding Shough to a room that includes Spencer Rattler, 24, and Jake Haener, 26. The Saints have been silent on what lies ahead regarding Carr, but selecting a quarterback shows they could be looking ahead to a future after Carr.
Round 3, No. 71: Vernon Broughton, DT, Texas
My take: Broughton is the first defensive player picked by the Saints in the draft, and like Shough, he's a player that did not thrive until late. He was a one-year starter at Texas who had four sacks in 16 games played as a senior. Broughton will join a defensive line rotation that is currently heavy with veterans, including 2023 first-round pick Bryan Bresee, Khalen Saunders, Nathan Shepherd and the recently acquired Davon Godchaux.
Ties to the team to know The Texas ties are heavy this year with both new players and new coaches. The Saints have now selected two players from Texas this year, with Broughton joining Banks. Saints defensive line coach Bo Davis is the main link here, having coached Broughton at Texas from 2021 to 2023. Defensive pass game coordinator Terry Joseph was also at Texas from 2021 to 2024.
Round 3, No. 93 (from Washington): Jonas Sanker, S, Virginia
My take: This was somewhat of a surprise pick in terms of need, but a few things stand out about Sanker. He was a three-year starter at Virginia, a team captain and known for being a standout tackler. He led the ACC in tackles for two straight seasons.
He was also a Senior Bowl participant, and that game has been a pipeline for Saints picks lately. ESPN analyst Louis Riddick praised the pick and said "his tape was real solid." New Orleans needs run support after struggling against it last season.
When will he be expected to get regular playing time? A lot of Saints rookies get on the field via special teams play early, and this is where Sanker could find a spot immediately. He played special teams at Virginia and recovered a fumble last season in addition to blocking a field goal. But how he fits into the defensive back rotation remains to be seen considering the group already has safeties Tyrann Mathieu, Justin Reid and Jordan Howden
Round 4, No. 112: Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
My take: Saints LB Demario Davis is 36, and the team needs to start looking for younger LBs. Stutsman started 37 games at Oklahoma and had 376 career tackles. In 2024, he started all 12 regular-season games at Mike linebacker. Stutsman's selection is not only a sign that the Saints are looking to the future of the position, but it shows the team's commitment to fixing the run defense issues from last year.
Round 4, No. 131: Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
My take: The Saints needed to restock their corners after parting ways with starters Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo in the past year. Riley played outside and inside. He had eight interceptions in three seasons at Louisville, including three last season (one returned for a touchdown). Coach Moore has mentioned position flexibility as a preferred trait, and Riley has that trait with his ability to move around on the field.
Round 6, No. 184: Devin Neal, RB, Kansas
My take: Neal was a four-year starter at Kansas and rushed for at least 1,000 yards for the last three seasons. He ran for 16 touchdowns in both 2024 and 2023. He's also been productive as a pass catcher and has had at least 20 receptions and one touchdown each of the last three seasons.
Round 7, No. 248 (from Philadelphia through Washington): Moliki Matavao, TE, UCLA
My take: Matavao, 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, played for UCLA and Oregon and moved around at several positions on the field for UCLA in his two seasons there. He had 41 receptions for 506 yards and two touchdowns in his final season at UCLA. He joins a tight end room currently hampered by injuries to Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau.
Round 7, No. 254: Fadil Diggs, DE, Syracuse
My take: Diggs led Syracuse in both sacks (7.5) and tackles for loss (14) in 2024, his lone season as a starter in a 4-3 front. He previously played at Texas A&M from 2020-2023 and started 12 games for the Aggies in 2023 with four sacks. Drafting another pass rusher was a need for the Saints, who chose to wait to the end of the draft to address it.