Saints draft Summary: My thoughts

Overall, the Saints 2025 NFL draft was a success. The Saints drafted players who were depth pieces to build a more competent team in the long run. They did not go out and try to get a superstar player at a skill position, they aimed for supplemental pieces that served more of a supporting cast. Let’s dive into each pick individually and figure out why…

Round 1, Pick 9: OT Kelvin Banks Jr, (TEXAS)

• Personally, this is the first first round pick in the past 4-5 years that I thought was a great pick. Recently, the Saints have been drafting project players and players that were not the best available at the postion with their pick have missed repeatedly. However, Kelvin Banks seems to be the “surest thing”, for an offensive tackle in the draft. He was a stud, and helped protect Quinn Ewers and future saints quarterback Arch Manning (manifesting that) at Texas. I love this pick because now you have two young players with a high ceiling at tackle with Fuaga and Banks on opposites sides of the line. For the saints, running the ball on offense last year was dreadful and the protection for Spencer Rattler or the QB, was sub par most of the season. Overall this pick to me is a 10/10. Much needed and should be a plug and play.

Round 2, Pick 8: QB Tyler Shough (Louisville)

• Probably the biggest surprise of the second round of the whole draft. A 26 year old quarterback with a long list of previous injuries left fans divided when he was drafted. I personally am one who think this was a stretch or unneeded. Quarterback for the saints has been a question mark for the saints since the departure of Drew Brees. With the likes of Derek Carr, Jake Haener, and Spencer Rattler who have been the starters since, nothing has worked. In my opinion, the Tyler Shough pick was a stretch to say the least and I do not think he will be a franchise QB. My comment to him, prove me wrong please. However, with the film, extent of his injuries and age I think this was a stretch, with better QBs available. If I am the saints, why not give rattler the keys for the season, because he has experience in the NFL and never played terrible for a guy who was thrown in on no notice either barely any talent around him. I understand Shough has experience and has some good upside but why not get another supporting cast pick for the second round. This pick in my opinion did not aid the team but brought up more questions than answers. Immediate impact rating 6/10

Round three, pick 7, DT Vernon Broughton (Texas

• Another position of need for the saints (what isn’t a need), another strong D lineman meant to take up space and running lanes for the saints. He will join Bryan Bresee and Davon Godcheaux in the DL room and will see plenty of playing time this year. Broughton never stood out on the stat sheet but was a man that offensive lines had issues with in his time at Texas. Overall, I think he will play a depth piece his first year and start to move into a starting spot in year 2. Immediate impact rating 5/10

Round 3, pick 29: S Jonas Sinker (Virginia)

• With a backfield on the saints defense that is growing old and lacking, Sinker was an awesome get from Virginia. Team captain of the Virginia defense and special teams, Sinker was the enforcer running up to the line and getting the running back down and laying the wood. Believe this is an underrated pick and a guy who will begin to start when Tyrann Matheius contract expires. Immediate impact rating 5/10

Round 4, pick 10: LB Danny Stutsman (Oklahoma)

• My personal favorite of the Saints draft. Stutsman was the leading tackler on Oklahoma and Butkus finalist who seemed to always be near the ball. Hard hitter, gap rusher, and a guy who has played a good amount of football at Oklahoma. My opinion this guy will be a first year player with the Saints LB room and is the underrated pick for the saints this year. Immediate impact rating 8/10

Round 4: Pick 29 CB Quincy Riley (Louisville)

• Another prospect from Louisville but this one I beleive is had a greater upside for the saints. Guy was lockdown and a head hunter on the cardinals in his career. Another good thing about him is he has that “confident attitude”, that DBs need to have to be successful in the NFL. In my opinion Riley will get small reps to begin the year and work his way into a more consistent role. Immediate impact rating 6/10

Round 6: pick 8: HB Devin Neal (Kansas)

• The most electric player the saints drafted and a super underrated pick. Devin Neal was a straight DAWG at Kansas and truly showed on the field and on the stats sheet. Neal had 1200+ yards and 16 touchdowns two years in a row, averaging near 6 yards a carry. This is a home run late hit and especially in a time with Kamara getting older, and Kendra Miller not meeting the need. I think Devin Neal will be the second string running back for the saints by the end of the 2025 season. Overall impact rating 8/10

Round 7, pick 32: TE Moliki Mataveo (UCLA)

• In a TE room with not much production besides Juwan Johnson, this pick is strictly for blocking. Needing an extra man up front to block who is 6’6 260, that should be a nightmare for a DB or Linebacker who is put up against them. Another big body to help in the blocking game. May just not be an immediate starter. Immediate impact rating 5/10

Round 7, Pick 38 EDGE Fadil Diggs (Syracuse)

• I watch alot of Syracuse football due to a friend I have who is from upstate New York and is a big Syracuse fan. In essence I watched a lot of their games and Diggs was a beast on the Fighting Orange defense. A productive player both at his last year at Texas A&M, and a better year at Syracuse with 14 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks. Diggs was disruptive and brought chaos to not just the run game, but the passing game. I do think this pick is another one of those underrated picks, and with an injury prone Chase Young and Granderson, who can say this man won’t see the field. Immediate impact rating 6.5/10.

The saints drafted guys who may not bring an immediate impact, but are supplemental pieces who will help a defense who could not stop the run, with picks like Stutsman, Sinker, and Diggs who specialize in that area.

Then flipping to the offensive side, a focus on protecting the QB with big bodies like Kelvin Banks and Mataveo, the offensive line should be improving the next few years. Additionally, with the likes of Devin Neal supporting Kamara, it should be the 1-2 punch that the saints need to aid their running game.

Overall, this draft has me feeling and thinking optimistic about the saints future for the first time in a while. With past draft classes not coming to form, this one feels like one of the best put together classes the saints have done in a while. Points for Kellen Moore for sure there. Let’s see how the first season goes under this tenure. WHO DAT.