The New Orleans Saints are navigating an uncertain future at quarterback, but a strategy is starting to take shape. With veteran Derek Carr secured in the short term after a contract restructure, attention is turning toward the 2025 NFL Draft, where the Saints could find Carr’s eventual successor. Colorado star quarterback Shedeur Sanders has emerged as the name most frequently linked to New Orleans, but whether he’ll be available at their ninth overall pick remains a question.
For the Saints, the stakes are high. Sanders, the 23-year-old standout and son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, is widely considered one of the top quarterback prospects in the draft. The Saints might have to trade up to secure him, a risky move in a league where draft gambles don’t always pay off. The alternative is to gamble on another prospect if both Sanders and presumptive top pick Cam Ward are off the board.
In recent projections, Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart has entered the conversation. Sayre Bedinger of FanSided recently mocked Dart to the Saints at No. 9, citing the team’s pressing need for a long-term solution at quarterback. While Dart wasn’t initially viewed as a first-round talent entering the season, his remarkable senior campaign, including a 69.3% completion rate and 4,279 passing yards, has rocketed him into contention.
Their future could be now for them
Drafting Dart could be a high-reward move, but it carries inherent risks. Critics point to his relatively limited track record as a question mark for a first-round pick. If he doesn’t develop into a franchise quarterback, the decision could haunt the Saints for years.
“The Saints are the only team in the NFC South currently without a true long-term QB situation in place,” Bedinger wrote. “They have to keep up with their division, and while they aren’t going to be forced into falling in love with a guy, there are a lot of qualities to like with Jaxson Dart.”
The Saints’ future hinges on this draft strategy, balancing caution with the need to secure their next cornerstone quarterback. Whether the answer is Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, or another prospect remains to be seen. One thing is certain: with Derek Carr as a short-term solution, the clock is ticking for New Orleans to identify its quarterback of the future.
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