New Orleans Saints 2025 NFL Mock Draft: Michigan duo upstarts defensive line in NOLA
After a hot 2-0 start, the New Orleans Saints have lost five in a row and look like a team on the brink of a rebuild.
Partially due to injuries, this NFC South squad have struggled on both sides of the ball particularly on defense where the team ranks dead last in total defense. This is an area where the team will look to get younger and more tough in the offseason.
On the offensive side of the ball, there are some playmakers. When Derek Carr was healthy, the Saints proved to be an explosive team. However, with Carr out and rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler under center, that explosive offense has become less consistent. With Carr approaching free agency, the Saints may have to look at adding a QB high in the draft.
Whether its defense or offense, the Saints will need to explore ways to get stronger and deeper and the 2025 NFL Draft will be a good way to find the players to fulfill some of those needs.
Current state of the New Orleans Saints
2024 NFL season record: 2-5, 3rd in the NFC South
Team offense: Rank 21st (312.9 yards per game)
Team defense: Rank 32nd (394.9 yards per game)
2025 NFL Draft position: No. 6
Top positional needs: IOL, DL, EDGE
2025 NFL Draft outlook
The Saints could have 27 players entering free agency at the end of the season. Depending on who stays and who goes, the draft needs for the Saints could shift. But right now, with a defense ranked dead last in the NFL as far as total yards against, upgrading the defensive line may be the top priority. Some defensive linemen the saints should already be scouting include Michigan’s Mason Graham, Kentucky’s Deone Walker, Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer and Ole Miss’s Walter Nolen.
While Sawyer is a player who could also help solve their needs as an edge rusher, some other prospects to watch are Ole Miss’s Princely Umanmielen and Texas A&M stud Nic Scourton. Offensively, the Saints could nab one of the top QB prospects with Carr as one of the players approaching free agency. Even if Rattler shows promise the rest of the season and improves in the offseason, New Orleans may still bring in a QB as competition for Rattler. This could be an ideal destination for Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders.
Some other positions of need for the Saints will be more offensive line depth and a third wide receiver. Here is an early-season look at what general manager Mickey Loomis and the Saints will do in this three-round NFL Mock Draft.
Mason Graham. DL | Michigan. 6. . player. 15. . . Mason Graham. Mason Graham
A team looking for a star along the defensive line, the Saints find one in Michigan’s Mason Graham with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. A player who could both stop the run and get after the quarterback, the high motor of Graham will immediately add energy and toughness to a Saints’ defensive line that hopes Chase Young can be a disrupter along the line.
With his size and quickness, the 6-foot-3, 318-pound Graham is a player who is versatile enough to play inside or on the edge. His ability to collapse the pocket and bullrush any offensive lineman will immediately make that Saints’ defensive line more athletic.
Jonah Savaiinaea . Jonah Savaiinaea . 15. . 37. player. . . Jonah Savaiinaea . IOL | Arizona
The Saints will be intrigued to take an offensive playmaker here but will continue to address the trenches by selecting Arizona’s Jonah Savaiinaea with the No. 37 overall pick in the draft.
After starting the season strong, the Saints’ offensive line could still use an upgrade and the 6-foot-5, 336-pound Saviinaea gives them a right guard who will help solidify that line even further playing with the likes of 2023 first-round pick Taliese Fuaga. With a versatility and quick footwork, Saviinaea has good balance and strength in pass protection and is an offensive lineman who could play both guard positions as well as tackle when needed.
Josiah Stewart. . Josiah Stewart. 73. player. . . EDGE | Michigan. Josiah Stewart. 15
With Cameron Jordan getting up there in age, the Saints get younger at edge with the selection of Josaiah Stewart with the No. 73 overall pick in the draft. After selecting Graham, the Saints dip back into the Michigan talent pool by selecting a player who is explosive off the snap and plays the game with the level of tenacity that will make him a third-round pick who will play and make an impact immediately.
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While he’ll have to improve his run defense, his pass rush skill will make him an impact player in situations until he grows into a more compete defensive player in the front seven.