The New Orleans Saints were defeated 21-14 by the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13. The hapless 4-8 Saints have precious little to look forward to for the remainder of this regular-season campaign. With navigating the salary cap being an annual challenge, the 2025 NFL Draft is crucial to the impending roster rebuild.
The Saints will also hire a new head coach after dismissing Dennis Allen earlier this season. A massive offseason awaits. We've conducted a seven-round mock draft that could serve as a blueprint for improvement.
Round 1 (No. 9 overall): Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
The Saints rank 23rd in sacks this season with just 27 quarterback takedowns. Chase Young, Payton Turner, and Tanoh Kpassagnon are all pending free agents. There is no in-house successor for the aging Cameron Jordan. EDGE is a huge need and Jalon Walker is a premium prospect.
Walker possesses outstanding athleticism and pairs it with functional strength. Walker's 3-sack performance versus the Texas Longhorns will be constantly referenced as a resume-defining game throughout the pre-draft process. He's established himself as a potential top-10 pick.
Round 2 (No. 43 overall): Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
Taliese Fuaga is taking his rookie bumps and bruises at left tackle after switching positions from the right side. Right tackle Trevor Penning is arguably enjoying the best season of his lackluster professional career, settling in at a position after previously failing at multiple others. The Saints have a sizable decision to make regarding his fifth-year option this offseason.
If they decline, he'll be entering a contract year in 2025. There's been lots of uncertainty at tackle with Ryan Ramczyk also dealing with a potentially career-ending injury. Cameron Williams is a massive right tackle prospect (6-5, 335) with plug-and-play tendencies. Williams overwhelms opponents with power and would give the Saints options up front.
Round 3 (No. 74 overall): Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
Trading Marshon Lattimore to the Washington Commanders created a hole at cornerback. The Saints should attempt to re-sign Paulson Adebo this summer, but he may price himself outside their comfort range. They may be forced to make a business decision, especially given that Alontae Taylor and Kool-Aid McKinstry are on affordable rookie contracts.
Maxwell Hairston is an instinctive corner with outstanding ball production. In the previous two seasons at Kentucky, Hairston has generated six interceptions and 16 pass breakups. He'd form a new-look duo with McKinstry at boundary corner for the Saints in the wake of Lattimore's departure.
Round 3 (No. 87 overall): Kobe Hudson, WR, UCF
Pass-catching depth is a real problem opposite Chris Olave. Olave is currently on IR with an injury. The Saints are overly reliant right now on receivers like Kevin Austin Jr. and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Kobe Hudson has X-receiver size and capabilities. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak could continue moving Olave around the offensive formation in search of advantageous matchup opportunities. Rashid Shaheed is the deep threat when healthy. Hudson would help complete this room, and each starting receiver would have a defined role.
Round 4 (No. 110 overall): Aeneas Peebles, DT, Virginia Tech
Interior depth is a big-time need. Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders have been liabilities versus the run all campaign long. They've also combined for just 2.5 sacks. Sophomore Bryan Bresee leads the Saints in sacks, but he's being utilized situationally.
Aeneas Peebles has been extremely disruptive this season despite being undersized. The twitched-up interior defender has produced 16 tackles for loss and eight sacks after the previous two campaigns at Duke and Virginia Tech. Peebles would provide the Saints with two-gapping capabilities.
Round 4 (No. 123 overall): Armand Membou, IOL, Missouri
A slew of depth offensive linemen are scheduled for free agency, including occasional starters Oli Udoh and Lucas Patrick. The Saints need to consider adding more interior offensive line depth. Missouri's Armand Membou is an interesting prospect.
Membou is currently playing offensive tackle, but many NFL scouts foresee him playing guard at the next level. Membou is a fluid athlete in space with terrific run-blocking fundamentals. The Saints need to continue adding young interior linemen after drafting Nick Saldiveri in 2023.
Round 6 (No. 186 overall): Bradyn Swinson, EDGE, LSU
The situation at EDGE is so concerning that the Saints must acquire multiple contributors this offseason. Carl Granderson, signed through 2027, is the only pass rusher with a long-term outlook in New Orleans.
Bradyn Swinson is a well-rounded defender with a red-hot motor that's always revving. A rusher with first-step explosiveness and closing speed, Swinson has exploded for 8.5 sacks this season. Functional strength and advanced hand counters make him a potential rookie-year playmaker.
Round 7 (No. 253 overall): Dante Trader Jr., SAF, Maryland
Both starting safeties Tyrann Mathieu and Will Harris are aging assets. They're also pending free agents. New Orleans' defensive backfield could look drastically different next season.
Maryland's Dante Trader Jr. is a versatile senior. Trader Jr. has above average change of direction and burst. He's been a steady contributor for three consecutive seasons and is a draftable prospect.
