Multiple sources believe Saints will wait to draft a QB

With the caveat of smokescreen season being in full swing, the Saints appear more likely — even after the Derek Carr news became public — to wait on a quarterback rather than select one in Round 1. They do not appear enamored with a passing prospect enough to pull the trigger at No. 9, NewOrleans.football’s Nick Underhill notes; ESPN.com’s Matt Miller concurs.

If the top 10 closes without a second quarterback being taken, an interesting pursuit will begin. The Giants are also viewed as being in the mix to trade up from their second-round position (No. 34) for a potential long-term answer. The Saints hold the No. 40 overall choice, a range Underhill classifies as a sweet spot for the team to get serious at QB. The Saints famously have not chosen a first-round quarterback since Archie Manning (1971), seeing free agents (Carr, Drew Brees) and trade acquisitions (Aaron Brooks) carrying the load throughout this century. With Carr’s status uncertain, however, the organization will be taking a risk by passing at No. 9.

The Saints would have a few second-tier options to choose from if they were to take their chances and go another direction in the first round. It does not look like Shedeur Sanders will be chosen in the top 10, based on recent reports, and ESPN.com’s Field Yates does not view the Saints as being sold on Sanders to the point they would burn their top draft asset on the two-year Colorado starter. That said, Yates adds Jaxson Dart and Tyler Shough are believed to be on the team’s radar at a later point.

To land Dart, the Saints will probably need to trade back into Round 1. This would allow them to pick up a fifth-year option on the Ole Miss alum’s contract. Our Ely Allen mocked Dart to the Saints at No. 9. That would be the safest play for the team, even though it would strip away the chance of bolstering its Week 1 starting lineup with a higher-level prospect. QB reaches occur annually, but if the Saints do not view a substantial gap to exist between this glut of second-tier options, waiting on one could be the play.

Saints-Dart connections came up earlier during the predraft process, while the team has also been tied to Quinn Ewers. The latter likely will be available at No. 40. Additionally, Miller notes the Saints still view fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler as having upside. Rattler submitted a shaky run as Carr’s primary injury fill-in, after falling in the 2024 draft. Although, this came with the Saints missing their top two wide receivers, creating a tough situation for a Day 3 rookie. It would still be unlikely if the Saints left this draft with Carr and Rattler as their top two QB options, but the latter’s presence may deter the team from reaching for a passer at No. 9.

A non-QB addition in Round 1, to merely add another potential quality starter to the roster, may well be the play while the franchise examines this year’s passer contingent. With the Browns likely joining the Giants in being on the trade-up radar, to go with the QB-needy Steelers lurking as well, the Saints will have some potential landmines to navigate if they do pass at No. 9 and look to circle back to the game’s premier position soon after.