- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 463,200
- Reaction score
- 44
With their first round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the ninth overall choice, the New Orleans Saints selected Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks.
The NFL Draft resumes on Friday, with rounds 2 and 3. New Orleans currently owns one choice in the second round, 40th overall, and two picks in the third at numbers 71 and 93 overall.
Many expected the Saints to target a quarterback early in the draft. Will they do so this evening? Here are the top remaining offensive players available as we head into rounds 2 and 3.
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) throws a pass against the Georgia Bulldogs. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
• Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)
• Jalen Milroe (Alabama)
• Tyler Shough (Louisville)
Sanders slipping into the second day was the biggest surprise of the first round. New Orleans also showed a good bit of pre-draft interest in both Shough and Milroe.
The Saints own the eighth pick in the second round. If they want Sanders or Milroe, they still may have to trade up to get at least one of them. Other quarterback-needy like Cleveland has picks 33 and 36 and the Raiders are at 37.
Perhaps it's also telling that the Saints saw no urgency to pick a quarterback in round 1. At the very least, it showed that they are confident enough in Spencer Rattler to gamble on how the draft board falls.
Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kaleb Johnson (2) runs for a touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
• TreyVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)
• Kaleb Johnson (Iowa)
• Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State)
• Damien Martinez (Miami, Fla)
• Cam Skattebo (Arizona State)
• Dylan Sampson (Tennessee)
• Trevor Etienne (Georgia)
New Orleans still has Alvin Kamara as the focus of their offense. However, there has been no other viable backfield threat for this team outside of Taysom Hill for the last several years.
The Saints may not address a backfield complement until Day 3 out of a deep class of backs. That may change if Kellen Moore identifies a running back that he feels would be ideal for his system.
Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jayden Higgins (9) catches a pass against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images
• Tre Harris (Mississippi)
• Jayden Higgins (Iowa State)
• Luther Burden III (Missouri)
• Savion Williams (TCU)
• Elic Ayomanor (Stanford)
• Jack Bech (TCU)
• Jaylin Noel (Iowa State)
• Nick Nash (San Jose State)
•Isaiah Bond (Texas)
The Saints have an electric trio of wideouts in Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Brandin Cooks. However, none of the three stand over 6-feet and each well under 200-Lbs.
What New Orleans lacks is a big-bodied pass catcher to work the intermediate zones of a defense. Harris, Higgins, and Ayomanor check off those boxes best. Williams and Nash have incredible potential, while Burden played for Kellen Moore's brother Kirby at Missouri.
Miami Hurricanes tight end Elijah Arroyo (8) runs after a catch against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
• Elijah Arroyo (Miami, Fla)
• Mason Taylor (LSU)
• Oronde Gadsden II (Syracuse)
• Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green)
• Terrance Ferguson (Oregon)
Re-signing Juwan Johnson reduces the need for a playmaking tight end, but doesn't eliminate it. New Orleans has lacked a true difference-maker at this position since trading Jimmy Graham after the 2014 season.
The NFL's best offenses possess a matchup nightmare at tight end. New Orleans needs a big-bodied playmaker, but it could very well come at tight end instead of wide receiver.
West Virginia Mountaineers offensive lineman Wyatt Milum (74) prepares to block against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
• Wyatt Milum (West Virginia)
• Dylan Fairchild (Georgia)
• Tate Ratledge (Georgia)
• Jackson Slater (Sacramento State)
New Orleans added Dillon Radunz in free agency, but guard play for this team was putrid last season. It also wouldn't hurt to find a replacement for human turnstile Cesar Ruiz so they could potentially move out from his contract next offseason.
Milum, Ratledge, and Fairchild were viewed as Day 2 picks with immediate starting potential. Slater is a small-school project, but one who handled himself well in postseason competitions.
Arizona Wildcats offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea (71) blocks against the TCU Horned Frogs. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
• Charles Grant (William&Mary)
• Jonah Savaiinaea (Arizona)
• Branson Taylor (Pitt)
It seems unlikely that the Saints double up on tackles after picking Kelvin Banks. However, that could change if they view any of these remaining tackles as a potential guard.
It's not sexy, but New Orleans needs to get better up front offensively. After drafting Banks, they still have no answer at guard or any of their other pressing needs on offense or defense.
Continue reading...
The NFL Draft resumes on Friday, with rounds 2 and 3. New Orleans currently owns one choice in the second round, 40th overall, and two picks in the third at numbers 71 and 93 overall.
Many expected the Saints to target a quarterback early in the draft. Will they do so this evening? Here are the top remaining offensive players available as we head into rounds 2 and 3.
Be sure to check out the scouting reports on some of these prospects from Athlon Sports at the conclusion of this article.
Quarterback
You must be registered for see images attach
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) throws a pass against the Georgia Bulldogs. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
• Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)
• Jalen Milroe (Alabama)
• Tyler Shough (Louisville)
Sanders slipping into the second day was the biggest surprise of the first round. New Orleans also showed a good bit of pre-draft interest in both Shough and Milroe.
The Saints own the eighth pick in the second round. If they want Sanders or Milroe, they still may have to trade up to get at least one of them. Other quarterback-needy like Cleveland has picks 33 and 36 and the Raiders are at 37.
Perhaps it's also telling that the Saints saw no urgency to pick a quarterback in round 1. At the very least, it showed that they are confident enough in Spencer Rattler to gamble on how the draft board falls.
Running Back
You must be registered for see images attach
Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kaleb Johnson (2) runs for a touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
• TreyVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)
• Kaleb Johnson (Iowa)
• Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State)
• Damien Martinez (Miami, Fla)
• Cam Skattebo (Arizona State)
• Dylan Sampson (Tennessee)
• Trevor Etienne (Georgia)
New Orleans still has Alvin Kamara as the focus of their offense. However, there has been no other viable backfield threat for this team outside of Taysom Hill for the last several years.
The Saints may not address a backfield complement until Day 3 out of a deep class of backs. That may change if Kellen Moore identifies a running back that he feels would be ideal for his system.
Wide Receiver
You must be registered for see images attach
Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jayden Higgins (9) catches a pass against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images
• Tre Harris (Mississippi)
• Jayden Higgins (Iowa State)
• Luther Burden III (Missouri)
• Savion Williams (TCU)
• Elic Ayomanor (Stanford)
• Jack Bech (TCU)
• Jaylin Noel (Iowa State)
• Nick Nash (San Jose State)
•Isaiah Bond (Texas)
The Saints have an electric trio of wideouts in Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Brandin Cooks. However, none of the three stand over 6-feet and each well under 200-Lbs.
What New Orleans lacks is a big-bodied pass catcher to work the intermediate zones of a defense. Harris, Higgins, and Ayomanor check off those boxes best. Williams and Nash have incredible potential, while Burden played for Kellen Moore's brother Kirby at Missouri.
Tight End
You must be registered for see images attach
Miami Hurricanes tight end Elijah Arroyo (8) runs after a catch against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
• Elijah Arroyo (Miami, Fla)
• Mason Taylor (LSU)
• Oronde Gadsden II (Syracuse)
• Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green)
• Terrance Ferguson (Oregon)
Re-signing Juwan Johnson reduces the need for a playmaking tight end, but doesn't eliminate it. New Orleans has lacked a true difference-maker at this position since trading Jimmy Graham after the 2014 season.
The NFL's best offenses possess a matchup nightmare at tight end. New Orleans needs a big-bodied playmaker, but it could very well come at tight end instead of wide receiver.
Guard
You must be registered for see images attach
West Virginia Mountaineers offensive lineman Wyatt Milum (74) prepares to block against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
• Wyatt Milum (West Virginia)
• Dylan Fairchild (Georgia)
• Tate Ratledge (Georgia)
• Jackson Slater (Sacramento State)
New Orleans added Dillon Radunz in free agency, but guard play for this team was putrid last season. It also wouldn't hurt to find a replacement for human turnstile Cesar Ruiz so they could potentially move out from his contract next offseason.
Milum, Ratledge, and Fairchild were viewed as Day 2 picks with immediate starting potential. Slater is a small-school project, but one who handled himself well in postseason competitions.
Tackle
You must be registered for see images attach
Arizona Wildcats offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea (71) blocks against the TCU Horned Frogs. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
• Charles Grant (William&Mary)
• Jonah Savaiinaea (Arizona)
• Branson Taylor (Pitt)
It seems unlikely that the Saints double up on tackles after picking Kelvin Banks. However, that could change if they view any of these remaining tackles as a potential guard.
It's not sexy, but New Orleans needs to get better up front offensively. After drafting Banks, they still have no answer at guard or any of their other pressing needs on offense or defense.
Offensive draft profiles from Athlon Sports
Related: Miami Back Damien Martinez Offers Immediate Value As A Mid-Round Draft Choice
Related: Why Cam Skattebo Would Make A Valuable NFL Draft Addition For The Saints
Related: Missouri Receiver Luther Burden III Is An Explosive NFL First-Round Talent
Related: Underrated Iowa State Wideout Jayden Higgins Should Be An Imposing NFL Draft Pickup
Related: Mississippi Wideout Tre Harris Has Traits That The Saints Lack
Related: Miami Hurricanes Tight End Elijah Arroyo Provides Matchup Advantages In The NFL Draft
Related: Syracuse Tight End Oronde Gadsden II Could Be Mid-Round NFL Draft Steal
Related: Why Cam Skattebo Would Make A Valuable NFL Draft Addition For The Saints
Related: Missouri Receiver Luther Burden III Is An Explosive NFL First-Round Talent
Related: Underrated Iowa State Wideout Jayden Higgins Should Be An Imposing NFL Draft Pickup
Related: Mississippi Wideout Tre Harris Has Traits That The Saints Lack
Related: Miami Hurricanes Tight End Elijah Arroyo Provides Matchup Advantages In The NFL Draft
Related: Syracuse Tight End Oronde Gadsden II Could Be Mid-Round NFL Draft Steal
Continue reading...
