News of Derek Carr’s shoulder injury broke on Friday afternoon literally minutes before our Saints Wire staff gathered to collaborate on a seven-round New Orleans Saints mock draft two weeks out from the real thing — so how did we react? We already had several rules in place. We limited ourselves to ten minutes per selection, just like the Saints’ war room will have to work with in real life, but we also weren’t allowed to trade in this mock draft. We’ll take that restrictor plate off next time.
So what was our reaction to the Saints potentially being without a starting quarterback? We agreed not to reach on one just for the sake of it, which meant telling Spencer Rattler it’s time to sink or swim. Here’s how it played out through seven rounds on the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator.
Round 1, Pick 9
Best available players: TE Tyler Warren (Penn State), S Malaki Starks (Georgia), LB Jihaad campbell (Alabama), EDGE Mike Green (Marshall), CB Will Johnson (Michigan), WR Luther Burden III (Missouri), EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College, DT Kenneth Grant (Michigan)
John Sigler: Shedeur Sanders almost made it to our pick, but the New York Jets took him at No. 7. I think fans should be wary of that. The Jets signed Justin Fields to a two-year contract with an out in 2026, so Sanders could very well push him for the starting job this year. If the Saints want Sanders they’ll need to consider trading ahead of the Jets to ensure they get him. I feel like they would draft Warren here.
Luke Loffredo: Sanders going to the Jets makes things easier for us. They definitely could take Warren, but Jihad Campbell is really intriguing.
Jeremy Trottier: If you’re gonna be without a starting quarterback, might as well pound the table for weapons and just pray a QB can be serviceable with them.
Darrion Gray: I was going to say Will Johnson, but never mind. Warren is the pick.
John Sigler: Warren is the pick. He can line up all over the place and catch passes from several different alignments. But we’re going to see a ton of targets go to tight ends between him and Juwan Johnson.
Round 2, Pick 40
Best available players: S Kevin Winston Jr. (Penn State), CB Trey Amos (Mississippi), CB Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame), S Xavier Watts (Notre Dame), EDGE Landon Jackson (Arkansas), WR Jack Bech (TCU), CB Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky, CB Shavon Revel (East Carolina)
Jeremy Trottier: Shavon Revel. NEXT. Also holy defensive second round, only one offensive player on the board there.
John Sigler: I like Trey Amos the most, maybe. He had 31 passes broken up in college.
Luke Loffredo: John. Since when? You’ve been talking up Revel for weeks. Amos having a 32 inch vertical is… underwhelming. I don’t think they’d pass on Maxwell Hairston and Revel, though.
Darrion Gray: I feel like I’ve seen a lot of Amos being thrown around the Saints. They did see him at his pro day, too. If we’re talking about what the Saints may do, I feel like I’ve heard the most buzz around Amos.
John Sigler: Hairston has… 10 career passes broken up. His 9.63 Relative Athletic Score is impressive, but it’s important to remember we don’t want the highest RAS, just above a certain threshold. Saints tend to draft players with an 8.0 or better, except for quarterbacks and defensive tackles. Amos didn’t have a great vert but h is 8.37 RAS meets the threshold.
Luke Loffredo: I’ll put in my vote for Revel, he’s got better traits than Amos. I think Amos gives you a solid guy with a high floor. But Revel has way more upside.
John Sigler: I’m inclined to go with the higher-floor SEC corner than the higher-ceiling Eastern Carolina corner.
Jeremy Trottier: Helmet scout, helmet scout. Revel has my vote.
John Sigler, sarcastically: If he was any good he’d be playing where It Means More. (Ed. note: Revel turned down offers to transfer from ECU to higher-profile programs). Darrion and I vote for Amos, Jeremy and Luke are backing Revel. It’s up to Dylan Sanders to break the tie.
Dylan Sanders: Revel all day. He’s my GOAT. I’m glad I could secure the Saints getting an All-Pro.
Jeremy Trottier: LET’S GO.
Round 3, Pick 71
Best available players: WR Jalen Royals (UTah State), S Andrew Mukuba (Texas), WR Kyle Williams (Washington State), WR Tre Harris (Mississippi), RB RJ Harvey (UCF), DT CJ West (Indiana), DT Alfred Collins (Texas), TE Mason Taylor (LSU)
Luke Loffredo: Give me Kyle Williams. But not gonna lie, I don’t like these options. Can we scroll down?
Darrion Gray: Now if y’all woulda passed on Warren we could have Mason Taylor right now. I just would have liked to go Taylor now and something else earlier personally. Tre Harris is my pick at this spot.
Luke Loffredo: I mean Tre Harris makes the most sense, but Kyle Williams is the best player. Come on. He’s just Chris Olave though I don’t want another one.
John Sigler, sarcastically: He’s just Chris Olave, who is an inferior Rashid Shaheed, who is a young Brandin Cooks… Scrolling down.
More available players: WR Jaylin Noel (Iowa State), RB Damien Martinez (Miami), EDGE Jordan Burch (Oregon), OL Ozzy Trapilo (Boston College), LB Chris Paul Jr. (Mississippi), OL Marcus Mbow (Purdue), TE Terrance Ferguson (Oregon), DT Vernon Broughton (Texas)
Jeremy Trottier: Ozzy Trapilo is really good but it’s too eaerly for him. If he’s there at the next pick we should get him. Who else is available at running back?
Luke Loffredo: I say Tre Harris here. Don’t love it but it is what it is. Unless we like Andrew Mukuba? Or RJ Harvey? But it may be early for him, too. Taking him with the next pick would slap. Which other running backs are available?
John Sigler: Mukuba’s 5.12 RAS unfortunately does not meet their established thresholds. His familiarity with defensive pass game coordinator Terry Joseph might force an exception, but I wouldn’t bet on it. If you’re wondering, Will Howard and Quinn Ewers are the next available quarterbacks. And of the running backs, only Harvey, Damien Martinez, and DJ Giddens qualify per RAS.
Jeremy Trottier: Dang, no Dylan Sampson. I was just hoping he would be there. I’m big on Devin Neal even though he’s not super athletic. So many dudes came off the board to get here. If this was the actual board I think the Saints would’ve traded up by now. Pick Harris, I guess. Doesn’t really move me all that much but they met with him so I can concede.
John Sigler: Does Harvey last 22 more picks? They’re going to add another RB at some point. I feel like waiting longer is pushing our luck, but I’ll concede WR may be a bigger need.
Jeremy Trottier: I think it’s a deep enough RB class where you can live with it. WR class, not so much.
Luke Loffredo: I’ll take Jaydon Blue with the next pick.
John Sigler: With a 6.34 RAS? No you aren’t. Sure he ran a 4.3 but a 196-pound running back better have 4.3 speed. He only jumped 29.5 vertically, too. We’ll see if he makes it to the next pick. For now, Tre Harris is our pick at No. 71.
Round 3, Pick 93
Best available players: WR Kyle Williams (Washington State), RB Damien Martinez (Miami), OL Jared Wilson (Georgia), RB DJ Gidden (Kansas State), OL Cameron Williams (Texas), RB Devin Neal (Kansas), OL Charles Grant (William & Mary), OL Anthony Belton (North Carolina State)
John Sigler: Ewers and Howard are also still available.
Luke Loffredo: Yeah I’m leaving. We blew it. Why is Kyle Williams still on the board? We could’ve had him and Harvey.
Darrion Gray: Pick Martinez. He’s the best available player at a position of need.
John Sigler: In the wake of the Carr news. I think it has to be a QB unless we really like Martinez or Giddens.
Jeremy Trottier: I mean they’ve been scouting the trenches a bunch. Wonder if you take Charles Grant. They were at his pro day.
Luke Loffredo: I’m gonna say Ewers or Grant. Leaning Ewers, not adding a QB would be crazy. Should we wait for Kyle McCord?
Jeremy Trottier: I don’t want Ewers in Round 3, and if you don’t add to the offensive line it won’t even matter who it is. I vote Grant.
John Sigler: Grant has a 7.45 RAS if you run his numbers at guard instead of tackle. That’s under the threshold but they would probably make an exception since the tape is so good.
Luke Loffredo: I’m down for offensive line. But, like, when are we adding defense? We literally need a safety, a linebacker, and a couple of defensive linemen/edge rushers. And when are we getting a QB?
John Sigler: Real talk value hasn’t been there defensively, at least along the defensive line. In reality this is probably why they’ll trade up from one of these third rounders. So we’ve got one vote for RB Damien Martinez (Darrion), one vote for QB Quinn Ewers (Luke), and two votes for OL Charles Grant (Jeremy, John). Save us Dylan.
Dylan Sanders: This is easy for me. I’ll go with… Charles Grant, he’s one of my favorite linemen in this class. Quinn Ewers is not the savior.
Round 4, Pick 112
Best available players: CB Jacob Parrish (Kansas State), S R.J. Mickens (Clemson), RB Jaydon Blue (Texas), LB Jeffrey Bassa (Oregon), WR Isaac TeSlaa (Arkansas), EDGE Oluwafemi Oladejo (UCLA), RB Trevor Etienne (Georgia), EDGE Ashton Gillotte (Louisville)
Luke Loffredo: We’re ruling with Rattler I guess. Give me the UCLA pass rusher. No need for discussion. His Senior Bowl was crazy.
Dylan Sanders: Olu!!!
John Sigler: Out of the quarterbacks Will Howard is off the board but Quinn Ewers, Kyle McCord, and Dillon Gabriel remain.
Jeremy Trottier: It’s Olu. I’m with Dylan and Luke.
Darrion Gray: I like Olu here, too.
John Sigler: Oladejo does not have a complete RAS but he did post a 10-foot broad and 36.5 vert at 259 pounds. That’ll play. I was looking at R.J. Mickens here, just to be contrarian, but I’ve been outvoted.
Round 4, Pick 131
Best available players: S R.J. Mickens (Clemson), RB Jaydon Blue (Texas), RB Trevor Etienne (Georgia), OL Seth McLaughlin (Ohio State), EDGE Barryn Sorrell (Texas), RB Jarquez Hunter (Auburn), RB Brashard Smith (SMU), OL Willie Lampkin (North Carolina)
John Sigler: Same QB’s are available. I think it has to be a RB now, though.
Jeremy Trottier: A RB or a defender. I like Willie Lampkin but we have Grant already. What’s the RAS on Barryn Sorrell like?
John Sigler: Sorrell posted a 9.31, do we double dip? Was voted top EDGE at the Senior Bowl.
Jeremy Trottier: Relatively productive too.
Dylan Sanders: Brashard Smith is a hybrid player, could be fun in the pass game. He can play both running back and wide receiver.
John Sigler: A 7.21 RAS for Smith makes him a fringe possibility. Another undersized RB with 4.3 speed. We’re the new Miami Dolphins.
Darrion Gray: I don’t want to wait longer on a QB. Ewers is the best available.
Dylan Sanders: Wasting a pick on Ewers when he would give you the same thing as either of the QBs on the roster and then also not keep them from taking another one next year early is absurd, in my opinion. Just don’t see the appeal in adding a third of the same QB with playmakers still on the board. I don’t think Ewers offers more than either Rattler or Jake Haener.
Jeremy Trottier: To be fair this is what the Saints would do, and since when do they make rational decisions? I’ll go RB otherwise I’m sure we won’t hear the end of it.
John Sigler: That’s valid, Dylan, if that’s how you value Ewers. I’m pretty sure they would have traded up for a QB by now but that isn’t part of the exercise. So do we double dip at EDGE with Sorrell, go in a new direction at RB with Blue/Smith, or draft a QB to say we did it?
Jeremy Trottier: Wait, why did we rule out Jarquez Hunter? Is he undersized?
John Sigler: He’s actually a little bigger than the other guys available, at 204 pounds. Ran a 4.44 with a 7.17 RAS.
Jeremy Trottier: Leading the SEC in yards per carry on 187 attempts is quite impressive. I say go with the dude who was explosive and see what happens.
John Sigler: Personally I don’t like passing on Mickens here, I think he’s exactly the type of player they would pick. Coached by Matt Giornado (who left the Saints shortly after) at the Shrine Bowl, 8.59 RAS, 7 INT and 14 TFL in college.
Dylan Sanders: I watched a lot of Clemson, I’m good on Mickens. And Mickeys, but that’s a different conversation.
John Sigler: Timer’s up. We have one vote for RB Jarquez Hunter (Jeremy), two for QB Quinn Ewers (Luke, Darrion), and one for RB Brashard Smith (Dylan). I guess I’ve got to do it. Quinn Ewers welcome to New Orleans.
Round 6, Pick 184
Best available players: DT Ty Robinson (Nebraska), WR Konata Mumpfield (Pittsburgh), WR Andrew Armstrong (Arkansas), CB Zah Frazier (UTSA), WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith (Auburn), LB Cody Lindenberg (Minnesota), CB Jason Marshall Jr. (Florida), RB Marcus Yarns (Delaware)
John Sigler: And now we got no running backs.
Jeremy Trottier: Nah nah nah we want QB’s. Dog weren’t you pounding the table for RB the whole time? I actually do quite like Marcus Yarns so that’s not a bad choice.
Luke Loffredo: DT or WR? I don’t know much about the linebacker, is he nice?
Darrion Gray: Is Elijah Roberts still on the board? Bo Davis took him out to dinner before SMU’s pro day. Or Ty Robinson.
John Sigler: Roberts didn’t make it here Darrion, but I don’t know why Robinson, a projected top-100 pick, is still available. Luke, Cody Lindenberg was coached by the Saints at the Senior Bowl, I think. His 8.17 RAS passes the threshold. The 7.72 RAS for Yarns is a push, but his 4.45 at 193 pounds is a problem. Need to see an extra gear at that size.
Jeremy Trottier: Combine doesn’t mean all that much to me with smaller guys, feels like so few ever perform. Averaging over six yards per carry in each of the last three years does move the needle. He’s crazy explosive despite it all. Has a 60-plus yard receiving and rushing play in each of his last three seasons.
Luke Loffredo: I’m all for the DT. I just didn’t think Yarns moved well.
John Sigler: So do we ignore the unrealistic falls or take advantage of Robinson making it here? DT is a need. A.T. Perry fell in the draft, so did Rattler. And the Boston College guard last year everyone wanted as an undrafted free agent. Let’s hear the votes. Looks like our cloud includes DT Ty Robinson, RB Marcus Yarns, and LB Cody Lindenberg.
Darrion Gray: Robinson. Grab that man.
Jeremy Trottier: Yarns because RB. And because it’ll make John mad because small school. I will not be changing my vote to Robinson if Dylan wants him just so you can’t say it was consensus.
John Sigler: Luke, Darrion, and I are going with Robinson. That’s three.
Round 7, Pick 248
Best available players: RB Corey Kiner (Cincinnati), WR Traeshon Holden (Oregon), TE Oronde Gadsden III (Syracuse), QB Graham Mertz (Florida), OL Hollin Pierce (Rutgers), RB Montrell Johnson Jr. (Florida), S Akili Arnold (USC), RB Ja’Quinden Jackson (Arkansas), LB Karene Reid (Utah), WR Will Sheppard (Colorado), LB Smael Mondon Jr. (Georgia), S Alijah Clark (Syracuse)
John Sigler: Zoomed out to give us a few more options. Hello, Montrell Johnson Jr.
Jeremy Trottier: Yeah that’s who I was gonna go with. New Orleans native. But who’s available for punters?
John Sigler: This team is not spending a draft pick on a punter.
Jeremy Trottier: They might, they’ve met with at least two. This team spent a first on a kicker.
Luke Loffredo: Oronde Gadsden III is like that. But I’m down for the Florida RB.
Darrion Gray: Johnson has my vote, too.
John Sigler: That’s three votes for Johnson, he’s the pick. Now to our final selection.
Round 7, Pick 254
Best available players: S Akili Arnold (USC), RB Ja’Quinden Jackson (Arkansas), LB Karene Reid (Utah), WR Will Sheppard (Colorado), LB Smael Mondon Jr. (Georgia), S Alijah Clark (Syracuse), LB Jailin Walker (Indiana), OL Joshua Gray (Oregon State), LB Kain Medrano (UCLA), OL Clay Webb (Jacksonville State), RB Phil Mafah (Clemson)
John Sigler: Both Joshua Gray and Clay Webb are projected to be third- or fourth-round picks, I don’t know why PFF is so low on them.
Dylan Sanders: Stop the fall of Josh Gray. I would’ve gone Robinson at the last pick, by the way.
Darrion Gray: I’m gonna show love to my HBCU guy. Elijah Williams would be a great realistic pick at this point. Y’all pick as you will.
Jeremy Trottier: Best available punter. Please. Dead serious. Can’t stand not having a good punter. Who were the two we met with, actually?
John Sigler: Jack Culbreath and Alex Mastromanno.
Jeremy Trottier: Mastromanno was the good one we met with. Go with him. I can’t stand this punting group I’ll literally write the segment for it.
Luke Loffredo: I was going to say LB Jailin Walker, but he’s only 218 pounds. Nah. What am I doing? Go with LB Smael Mondon Jr. Georgia linebackers have been good lately. He’s a three-year starter.
John Sigler: Mondon weighs 224 pounds.
Luke Loffredo: He’ll be aight.
John Sigler: He’ll be light.
Jeremy Trottier: Small Mondon Jr. more like. But why not the punter?
John Sigler: I don’t like drafting a specialist on principle. I don’t think Gray makes it here in real life. Saints were 31st in run defense, let’s see if Elijah Williams can help stop the bleeding.
Dylan Sanders: Can I change my vote to taking Quinn Ewers a second time instead?
Jeremy Trottier: On principle is crazy. If the best player available is the BPA, you take the BPA.
John Sigler: Here’s the thing: a punter would never be BPA. Ray Guy himself could be reborn and I wouldn’t draft him. Not unless we’d already won the Super Bowl, had $50M in cap space, etc.
Dylan Sanders: Well punter isn’t the BPA. Just look me in the eyes and tell me that you’re 100% certain that one of these punters would be better than a free agent.
Jeremy Trottier, standing on a table: Disagree vehemently. If this team is exclusively gonna be punting all year long, why not make it interesting? I don’t wanna hear a single complaint when we watch 72 30-yard punts this year and our seventh-round player is nowhere to be seen. Who would you rather have, a first-string punter who can average almost 50 yards a punt, or Josiah Ezirim?
John Sigler: It’s a luxury few teams can really justify. You can get the same guys as rookie free agents. The three punters who averaged 50+ yards per try last year were all UDFA. I respect your conviction on this issue, but I disagree with it.
Jeremy Trottier: Why risk a bidding war for an undrafted free agent punter? I’d rather not get beat out by other teams for the good ones and just solidify myself at the position without getting into a war.
John Sigler: I’m not opposed to drafting a punter in the sixth or seventh round if everything is good. But I’ve got to put out bigger fires before worrying about that. Our timer is up. We had one vote for P Alex Mastromanno (Jeremy), one vote for OL Joshua Gray (Dylan), one vote for LB Smael Mondon Jr. (Luke), and two votes for DT Elijah Williams (Darrion, John). Williams wins out.
Recapping our draft
- Round 1, Pick 9 TE Tyler Warren
- Round 2, Pick 40 CB Shavon Revel
- Round 3, Pick 71 WR Tre Harris
- Round 3, Pick 93 OL Charles Grant
- Round 4, Pick 112 EDGE Olu Oladejo
- Round 4, Pick 131 QB Quinn Ewers
- Round 6, Pick 184 DT Ty Robinson
- Round 7, Pick 248 RB Montrell Johnson
- Round 7, Pick 254 DT Elijah Williams
So what’s our plan for life without Derek Carr? We’re throwing Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, and Quinn Ewers into a three-way training camp competition and seeing who auditions best, and expecting Rattler to win that battle. He’ll have better weapons to work with and stronger protection in front of him than the quarterbacks did last year. We found a potential starting cornerback and improved depth along the defensive line. But it’s going to take a couple of drafts and, most importantly, finding the right quarterback to field a competitive team.
I don’t like that we waited so long to get more dynamic at running back, and I would’ve liked to add another safety to start developing as Tyrann Mathieu’s replacement. You could make the same argument for a linebacker, too. This wasn’t a perfect mock draft, but none of them are. We’ll circle back next week for a final run before the real thing.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2025 NFL draft: 7-round Saints mock draft after Derek Carr injury
News of Derek Carr’s shoulder injury broke on Friday afternoon literally minutes before our Saints Wire staff gathered to collaborate on a seven-round New Orleans Saints mock draft two weeks out from the real thing — so how did we react? We already had several rules in place. We limited ourselves to ten minutes per selection, just like the Saints’ war room will have to work with in real life, but we also weren’t allowed to trade in this mock draft. We’ll take that restrictor plate off next time.
So what was our reaction to the Saints potentially being without a starting quarterback? We agreed not to reach on one just for the sake of it, which meant telling Spencer Rattler it’s time to sink or swim. Here’s how it played out through seven rounds on the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator.
Round 1, Pick 9
Best available players: TE Tyler Warren (Penn State), S Malaki Starks (Georgia), LB Jihaad campbell (Alabama), EDGE Mike Green (Marshall), CB Will Johnson (Michigan), WR Luther Burden III (Missouri), EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College, DT Kenneth Grant (Michigan)
John Sigler: Shedeur Sanders almost made it to our pick, but the New York Jets took him at No. 7. I think fans should be wary of that. The Jets signed Justin Fields to a two-year contract with an out in 2026, so Sanders could very well push him for the starting job this year. If the Saints want Sanders they’ll need to consider trading ahead of the Jets to ensure they get him. I feel like they would draft Warren here.
Luke Loffredo: Sanders going to the Jets makes things easier for us. They definitely could take Warren, but Jihad Campbell is really intriguing.
Jeremy Trottier: If you’re gonna be without a starting quarterback, might as well pound the table for weapons and just pray a QB can be serviceable with them.
Darrion Gray: I was going to say Will Johnson, but never mind. Warren is the pick.
John Sigler: Warren is the pick. He can line up all over the place and catch passes from several different alignments. But we’re going to see a ton of targets go to tight ends between him and Juwan Johnson.
Round 2, Pick 40
Best available players: S Kevin Winston Jr. (Penn State), CB Trey Amos (Mississippi), CB Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame), S Xavier Watts (Notre Dame), EDGE Landon Jackson (Arkansas), WR Jack Bech (TCU), CB Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky, CB Shavon Revel (East Carolina)
Jeremy Trottier: Shavon Revel. NEXT. Also holy defensive second round, only one offensive player on the board there.
John Sigler: I like Trey Amos the most, maybe. He had 31 passes broken up in college.
Luke Loffredo: John. Since when? You’ve been talking up Revel for weeks. Amos having a 32 inch vertical is… underwhelming. I don’t think they’d pass on Maxwell Hairston and Revel, though.
Darrion Gray: I feel like I’ve seen a lot of Amos being thrown around the Saints. They did see him at his pro day, too. If we’re talking about what the Saints may do, I feel like I’ve heard the most buzz around Amos.
John Sigler: Hairston has… 10 career passes broken up. His 9.63 Relative Athletic Score is impressive, but it’s important to remember we don’t want the highest RAS, just above a certain threshold. Saints tend to draft players with an 8.0 or better, except for quarterbacks and defensive tackles. Amos didn’t have a great vert but h is 8.37 RAS meets the threshold.
Luke Loffredo: I’ll put in my vote for Revel, he’s got better traits than Amos. I think Amos gives you a solid guy with a high floor. But Revel has way more upside.
John Sigler: I’m inclined to go with the higher-floor SEC corner than the higher-ceiling Eastern Carolina corner.
Jeremy Trottier: Helmet scout, helmet scout. Revel has my vote.
John Sigler, sarcastically: If he was any good he’d be playing where It Means More. (Ed. note: Revel turned down offers to transfer from ECU to higher-profile programs). Darrion and I vote for Amos, Jeremy and Luke are backing Revel. It’s up to Dylan Sanders to break the tie.
Dylan Sanders: Revel all day. He’s my GOAT. I’m glad I could secure the Saints getting an All-Pro.
Jeremy Trottier: LET’S GO.
Round 3, Pick 71
Best available players: WR Jalen Royals (UTah State), S Andrew Mukuba (Texas), WR Kyle Williams (Washington State), WR Tre Harris (Mississippi), RB RJ Harvey (UCF), DT CJ West (Indiana), DT Alfred Collins (Texas), TE Mason Taylor (LSU)
Luke Loffredo: Give me Kyle Williams. But not gonna lie, I don’t like these options. Can we scroll down?
Darrion Gray: Now if y’all woulda passed on Warren we could have Mason Taylor right now. I just would have liked to go Taylor now and something else earlier personally. Tre Harris is my pick at this spot.
Luke Loffredo: I mean Tre Harris makes the most sense, but Kyle Williams is the best player. Come on. He’s just Chris Olave though I don’t want another one.
John Sigler, sarcastically: He’s just Chris Olave, who is an inferior Rashid Shaheed, who is a young Brandin Cooks… Scrolling down.
More available players: WR Jaylin Noel (Iowa State), RB Damien Martinez (Miami), EDGE Jordan Burch (Oregon), OL Ozzy Trapilo (Boston College), LB Chris Paul Jr. (Mississippi), OL Marcus Mbow (Purdue), TE Terrance Ferguson (Oregon), DT Vernon Broughton (Texas)
Jeremy Trottier: Ozzy Trapilo is really good but it’s too eaerly for him. If he’s there at the next pick we should get him. Who else is available at running back?
Luke Loffredo: I say Tre Harris here. Don’t love it but it is what it is. Unless we like Andrew Mukuba? Or RJ Harvey? But it may be early for him, too. Taking him with the next pick would slap. Which other running backs are available?
John Sigler: Mukuba’s 5.12 RAS unfortunately does not meet their established thresholds. His familiarity with defensive pass game coordinator Terry Joseph might force an exception, but I wouldn’t bet on it. If you’re wondering, Will Howard and Quinn Ewers are the next available quarterbacks. And of the running backs, only Harvey, Damien Martinez, and DJ Giddens qualify per RAS.
Jeremy Trottier: Dang, no Dylan Sampson. I was just hoping he would be there. I’m big on Devin Neal even though he’s not super athletic. So many dudes came off the board to get here. If this was the actual board I think the Saints would’ve traded up by now. Pick Harris, I guess. Doesn’t really move me all that much but they met with him so I can concede.
John Sigler: Does Harvey last 22 more picks? They’re going to add another RB at some point. I feel like waiting longer is pushing our luck, but I’ll concede WR may be a bigger need.
Jeremy Trottier: I think it’s a deep enough RB class where you can live with it. WR class, not so much.
Luke Loffredo: I’ll take Jaydon Blue with the next pick.
John Sigler: With a 6.34 RAS? No you aren’t. Sure he ran a 4.3 but a 196-pound running back better have 4.3 speed. He only jumped 29.5 vertically, too. We’ll see if he makes it to the next pick. For now, Tre Harris is our pick at No. 71.
Round 3, Pick 93
Best available players: WR Kyle Williams (Washington State), RB Damien Martinez (Miami), OL Jared Wilson (Georgia), RB DJ Gidden (Kansas State), OL Cameron Williams (Texas), RB Devin Neal (Kansas), OL Charles Grant (William & Mary), OL Anthony Belton (North Carolina State)
John Sigler: Ewers and Howard are also still available.
Luke Loffredo: Yeah I’m leaving. We blew it. Why is Kyle Williams still on the board? We could’ve had him and Harvey.
Darrion Gray: Pick Martinez. He’s the best available player at a position of need.
John Sigler: In the wake of the Carr news. I think it has to be a QB unless we really like Martinez or Giddens.
Jeremy Trottier: I mean they’ve been scouting the trenches a bunch. Wonder if you take Charles Grant. They were at his pro day.
Luke Loffredo: I’m gonna say Ewers or Grant. Leaning Ewers, not adding a QB would be crazy. Should we wait for Kyle McCord?
Jeremy Trottier: I don’t want Ewers in Round 3, and if you don’t add to the offensive line it won’t even matter who it is. I vote Grant.
John Sigler: Grant has a 7.45 RAS if you run his numbers at guard instead of tackle. That’s under the threshold but they would probably make an exception since the tape is so good.
Luke Loffredo: I’m down for offensive line. But, like, when are we adding defense? We literally need a safety, a linebacker, and a couple of defensive linemen/edge rushers. And when are we getting a QB?
John Sigler: Real talk value hasn’t been there defensively, at least along the defensive line. In reality this is probably why they’ll trade up from one of these third rounders. So we’ve got one vote for RB Damien Martinez (Darrion), one vote for QB Quinn Ewers (Luke), and two votes for OL Charles Grant (Jeremy, John). Save us Dylan.
Dylan Sanders: This is easy for me. I’ll go with… Charles Grant, he’s one of my favorite linemen in this class. Quinn Ewers is not the savior.
Round 4, Pick 112
Best available players: CB Jacob Parrish (Kansas State), S R.J. Mickens (Clemson), RB Jaydon Blue (Texas), LB Jeffrey Bassa (Oregon), WR Isaac TeSlaa (Arkansas), EDGE Oluwafemi Oladejo (UCLA), RB Trevor Etienne (Georgia), EDGE Ashton Gillotte (Louisville)
Luke Loffredo: We’re ruling with Rattler I guess. Give me the UCLA pass rusher. No need for discussion. His Senior Bowl was crazy.
Dylan Sanders: Olu!!!
John Sigler: Out of the quarterbacks Will Howard is off the board but Quinn Ewers, Kyle McCord, and Dillon Gabriel remain.
Jeremy Trottier: It’s Olu. I’m with Dylan and Luke.
Darrion Gray: I like Olu here, too.
John Sigler: Oladejo does not have a complete RAS but he did post a 10-foot broad and 36.5 vert at 259 pounds. That’ll play. I was looking at R.J. Mickens here, just to be contrarian, but I’ve been outvoted.
Round 4, Pick 131
Best available players: S R.J. Mickens (Clemson), RB Jaydon Blue (Texas), RB Trevor Etienne (Georgia), OL Seth McLaughlin (Ohio State), EDGE Barryn Sorrell (Texas), RB Jarquez Hunter (Auburn), RB Brashard Smith (SMU), OL Willie Lampkin (North Carolina)
John Sigler: Same QB’s are available. I think it has to be a RB now, though.
Jeremy Trottier: A RB or a defender. I like Willie Lampkin but we have Grant already. What’s the RAS on Barryn Sorrell like?
John Sigler: Sorrell posted a 9.31, do we double dip? Was voted top EDGE at the Senior Bowl.
Jeremy Trottier: Relatively productive too.
Dylan Sanders: Brashard Smith is a hybrid player, could be fun in the pass game. He can play both running back and wide receiver.
John Sigler: A 7.21 RAS for Smith makes him a fringe possibility. Another undersized RB with 4.3 speed. We’re the new Miami Dolphins.
Darrion Gray: I don’t want to wait longer on a QB. Ewers is the best available.
Dylan Sanders: Wasting a pick on Ewers when he would give you the same thing as either of the QBs on the roster and then also not keep them from taking another one next year early is absurd, in my opinion. Just don’t see the appeal in adding a third of the same QB with playmakers still on the board. I don’t think Ewers offers more than either Rattler or Jake Haener.
Jeremy Trottier: To be fair this is what the Saints would do, and since when do they make rational decisions? I’ll go RB otherwise I’m sure we won’t hear the end of it.
John Sigler: That’s valid, Dylan, if that’s how you value Ewers. I’m pretty sure they would have traded up for a QB by now but that isn’t part of the exercise. So do we double dip at EDGE with Sorrell, go in a new direction at RB with Blue/Smith, or draft a QB to say we did it?
Jeremy Trottier: Wait, why did we rule out Jarquez Hunter? Is he undersized?
John Sigler: He’s actually a little bigger than the other guys available, at 204 pounds. Ran a 4.44 with a 7.17 RAS.
Jeremy Trottier: Leading the SEC in yards per carry on 187 attempts is quite impressive. I say go with the dude who was explosive and see what happens.
John Sigler: Personally I don’t like passing on Mickens here, I think he’s exactly the type of player they would pick. Coached by Matt Giornado (who left the Saints shortly after) at the Shrine Bowl, 8.59 RAS, 7 INT and 14 TFL in college.
Dylan Sanders: I watched a lot of Clemson, I’m good on Mickens. And Mickeys, but that’s a different conversation.
John Sigler: Timer’s up. We have one vote for RB Jarquez Hunter (Jeremy), two for QB Quinn Ewers (Luke, Darrion), and one for RB Brashard Smith (Dylan). I guess I’ve got to do it. Quinn Ewers welcome to New Orleans.
Round 6, Pick 184
Best available players: DT Ty Robinson (Nebraska), WR Konata Mumpfield (Pittsburgh), WR Andrew Armstrong (Arkansas), CB Zah Frazier (UTSA), WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith (Auburn), LB Cody Lindenberg (Minnesota), CB Jason Marshall Jr. (Florida), RB Marcus Yarns (Delaware)
John Sigler: And now we got no running backs.
Jeremy Trottier: Nah nah nah we want QB’s. Dog weren’t you pounding the table for RB the whole time? I actually do quite like Marcus Yarns so that’s not a bad choice.
Luke Loffredo: DT or WR? I don’t know much about the linebacker, is he nice?
Darrion Gray: Is Elijah Roberts still on the board? Bo Davis took him out to dinner before SMU’s pro day. Or Ty Robinson.
John Sigler: Roberts didn’t make it here Darrion, but I don’t know why Robinson, a projected top-100 pick, is still available. Luke, Cody Lindenberg was coached by the Saints at the Senior Bowl, I think. His 8.17 RAS passes the threshold. The 7.72 RAS for Yarns is a push, but his 4.45 at 193 pounds is a problem. Need to see an extra gear at that size.
Jeremy Trottier: Combine doesn’t mean all that much to me with smaller guys, feels like so few ever perform. Averaging over six yards per carry in each of the last three years does move the needle. He’s crazy explosive despite it all. Has a 60-plus yard receiving and rushing play in each of his last three seasons.
Luke Loffredo: I’m all for the DT. I just didn’t think Yarns moved well.
John Sigler: So do we ignore the unrealistic falls or take advantage of Robinson making it here? DT is a need. A.T. Perry fell in the draft, so did Rattler. And the Boston College guard last year everyone wanted as an undrafted free agent. Let’s hear the votes. Looks like our cloud includes DT Ty Robinson, RB Marcus Yarns, and LB Cody Lindenberg.
Darrion Gray: Robinson. Grab that man.
Jeremy Trottier: Yarns because RB. And because it’ll make John mad because small school. I will not be changing my vote to Robinson if Dylan wants him just so you can’t say it was consensus.
John Sigler: Luke, Darrion, and I are going with Robinson. That’s three.
Round 7, Pick 248
Best available players: RB Corey Kiner (Cincinnati), WR Traeshon Holden (Oregon), TE Oronde Gadsden III (Syracuse), QB Graham Mertz (Florida), OL Hollin Pierce (Rutgers), RB Montrell Johnson Jr. (Florida), S Akili Arnold (USC), RB Ja’Quinden Jackson (Arkansas), LB Karene Reid (Utah), WR Will Sheppard (Colorado), LB Smael Mondon Jr. (Georgia), S Alijah Clark (Syracuse)
John Sigler: Zoomed out to give us a few more options. Hello, Montrell Johnson Jr.
Jeremy Trottier: Yeah that’s who I was gonna go with. New Orleans native. But who’s available for punters?
John Sigler: This team is not spending a draft pick on a punter.
Jeremy Trottier: They might, they’ve met with at least two. This team spent a first on a kicker.
Luke Loffredo: Oronde Gadsden III is like that. But I’m down for the Florida RB.
Darrion Gray: Johnson has my vote, too.
John Sigler: That’s three votes for Johnson, he’s the pick. Now to our final selection.
Round 7, Pick 254
Best available players: S Akili Arnold (USC), RB Ja’Quinden Jackson (Arkansas), LB Karene Reid (Utah), WR Will Sheppard (Colorado), LB Smael Mondon Jr. (Georgia), S Alijah Clark (Syracuse), LB Jailin Walker (Indiana), OL Joshua Gray (Oregon State), LB Kain Medrano (UCLA), OL Clay Webb (Jacksonville State), RB Phil Mafah (Clemson)
John Sigler: Both Joshua Gray and Clay Webb are projected to be third- or fourth-round picks, I don’t know why PFF is so low on them.
Dylan Sanders: Stop the fall of Josh Gray. I would’ve gone Robinson at the last pick, by the way.
Darrion Gray: I’m gonna show love to my HBCU guy. Elijah Williams would be a great realistic pick at this point. Y’all pick as you will.
Jeremy Trottier: Best available punter. Please. Dead serious. Can’t stand not having a good punter. Who were the two we met with, actually?
John Sigler: Jack Culbreath and Alex Mastromanno.
Jeremy Trottier: Mastromanno was the good one we met with. Go with him. I can’t stand this punting group I’ll literally write the segment for it.
Luke Loffredo: I was going to say LB Jailin Walker, but he’s only 218 pounds. Nah. What am I doing? Go with LB Smael Mondon Jr. Georgia linebackers have been good lately. He’s a three-year starter.
John Sigler: Mondon weighs 224 pounds.
Luke Loffredo: He’ll be aight.
John Sigler: He’ll be light.
Jeremy Trottier: Small Mondon Jr. more like. But why not the punter?
John Sigler: I don’t like drafting a specialist on principle. I don’t think Gray makes it here in real life. Saints were 31st in run defense, let’s see if Elijah Williams can help stop the bleeding.
Dylan Sanders: Can I change my vote to taking Quinn Ewers a second time instead?
Jeremy Trottier: On principle is crazy. If the best player available is the BPA, you take the BPA.
John Sigler: Here’s the thing: a punter would never be BPA. Ray Guy himself could be reborn and I wouldn’t draft him. Not unless we’d already won the Super Bowl, had $50M in cap space, etc.
Dylan Sanders: Well punter isn’t the BPA. Just look me in the eyes and tell me that you’re 100% certain that one of these punters would be better than a free agent.
Jeremy Trottier, standing on a table: Disagree vehemently. If this team is exclusively gonna be punting all year long, why not make it interesting? I don’t wanna hear a single complaint when we watch 72 30-yard punts this year and our seventh-round player is nowhere to be seen. Who would you rather have, a first-string punter who can average almost 50 yards a punt, or Josiah Ezirim?
John Sigler: It’s a luxury few teams can really justify. You can get the same guys as rookie free agents. The three punters who averaged 50+ yards per try last year were all UDFA. I respect your conviction on this issue, but I disagree with it.
Jeremy Trottier: Why risk a bidding war for an undrafted free agent punter? I’d rather not get beat out by other teams for the good ones and just solidify myself at the position without getting into a war.
John Sigler: I’m not opposed to drafting a punter in the sixth or seventh round if everything is good. But I’ve got to put out bigger fires before worrying about that. Our timer is up. We had one vote for P Alex Mastromanno (Jeremy), one vote for OL Joshua Gray (Dylan), one vote for LB Smael Mondon Jr. (Luke), and two votes for DT Elijah Williams (Darrion, John). Williams wins out.
Recapping our draft
- Round 1, Pick 9 TE Tyler Warren
- Round 2, Pick 40 CB Shavon Revel
- Round 3, Pick 71 WR Tre Harris
- Round 3, Pick 93 OL Charles Grant
- Round 4, Pick 112 EDGE Olu Oladejo
- Round 4, Pick 131 QB Quinn Ewers
- Round 6, Pick 184 DT Ty Robinson
- Round 7, Pick 248 RB Montrell Johnson
- Round 7, Pick 254 DT Elijah Williams
So what’s our plan for life without Derek Carr? We’re throwing Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, and Quinn Ewers into a three-way training camp competition and seeing who auditions best, and expecting Rattler to win that battle. He’ll have better weapons to work with and stronger protection in front of him than the quarterbacks did last year. We found a potential starting cornerback and improved depth along the defensive line. But it’s going to take a couple of drafts and, most importantly, finding the right quarterback to field a competitive team.
I don’t like that we waited so long to get more dynamic at running back, and I would’ve liked to add another safety to start developing as Tyrann Mathieu’s replacement. You could make the same argument for a linebacker, too. This wasn’t a perfect mock draft, but none of them are. We’ll circle back next week for a final run before the real thing.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2025 NFL draft: 7-round Saints mock draft after Derek Carr injury
