Saints Shake Things Up with Bold Pick of Jaxson Dart in New Four-Round Mock Draft

In a fresh New Orleans Saints mock draft, eyes are sure to widen as Athlon Sports’ Lou Easterling makes a bold prediction for the team’s first-round pick. In his latest four-round mock, the Saints select a surprising quarterback early—Jaxson Dart out of Ole Miss—setting the stage for what could be a pivotal draft for New Orleans.

Four-Round Saints Mock Draft (Luke Easterling)

• Round 1, 9th Overall: Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss

• Round 2, 40th Overall: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss

• Round 3, 71st Overall: Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina

• Round 3, 93rd Overall (via WAS): Troy Horton, WR, Colorado State

• Round 4, 112th Overall: JJ Pegues, DL, Ole Miss

• Round 4, 131st Overall: DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State

Easterling’s pick of Dart raises some eyebrows, as many believe the QB might be drafted a little too early. But as Easterling points out, the NFL has a long history of teams overdrafting quarterbacks, particularly when a team is desperate for a long-term solution—and that’s exactly where the Saints find themselves. While it may seem like a stretch, the Saints could be banking on Dart’s potential upside.

The Saints have been keeping a close eye on Dart, along with Miami's Cam Ward and Texas’ Quinn Ewers, as they plan for the future under new head coach Kellen Moore. Though Derek Carr is slated to lead the team in 2024, the Saints’ long-term vision seems to be focused on future seasons, with 2026 in mind.

While the quarterback position may be the most talked-about, Easterling’s mock also brings some help to the defense and offensive pass rush, ensuring the team is balancing its needs across multiple areas.

The Saints’ picks will certainly be debated as draft day approaches. With less than three weeks to go, all eyes will be on New Orleans to see how they tackle this crucial draft.