Could Saints target QB other than Shedeur Sanders in first round of NFL Draft?

It was widely predicted that the New Orleans Saints would make Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders the ninth overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft before it was learned that New Orleans starter Derek Carr may not play during the upcoming season due to a shoulder injury. 

However, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated suggested Tuesday that the Saints could target a different signal-caller during the draft's first round.

"The New Orleans Saints have done a lot of work on (Ole Miss') Jaxson Dart," Breer explained. "I don’t know if it puts him in consideration with the ninth pick, or somewhere on Day 2. But a year after the Denver Broncos reached for Bo Nix at (No. 12), and that worked out, I know not to ignore the logical connections that certain players have to certain teams."

It's no secret that multiple teams reportedly view Dart and not Sanders as the second-best quarterback in this year's draft class behind Miami's Cam Ward. While Dane Brugler of The Athletic thinks Dart will fall to the Cleveland Browns and the first pick of the second round, others believe a team such as the Browns or the New York Giants could trade back into the first round to grab Dart. 

In a piece updated Tuesday evening, ESPN's Field Yates noted that Sanders and Dart are "among names to consider" regarding New Orleans' draft plans. 

"The depth of this 2025 class makes adding more draft capital alluring, even though New Orleans already has nine picks," Yates said about the Saints possibly trading the ninth choice and then moving down the draft order. "Players such as Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Penn State tight end Tyler Warren could be available at No. 9 and garner interest from a few front offices — perhaps even the Bears at No. 10. And a team might even call the Saints to move up for (Missouri's) Armand Membou if desperate for a potential long-term left tackle."

Assuming Brugler is correct about Dart's draft stock, the Saints could acquire additional assets by trading down and still end April 24 with their desired quarterback, who may or may not be the Ole Miss star.