The New Orleans Saints have finally ended the 7-game losing streak after a win against the Atlanta Falcons. This result moves their projected 2025 NFL Draft selection to pick 7.
In this win, the Saints Pass rush looked much better, and the offensive line really stepped up. There were some issues that almost cost New Orleans the game. The Offense in the second half became stagnant. It felt like if the Saints had more of a mobile quarterback, the offense would open up a bit more. On defense, the line once again struggled against the run.
The Prospects
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The edge rush group is arguably the top strength of this draft class, and the Saints need to draft one. This could be in day 1 or 2, but it needs to happen. There will be a lot of fluctuation in edge rusher prospect rankings throughout the draft process. This is due to each of the top edge prospects bringing something different to the table. Last week, I mentioned that Abdul Carter could be the prospect to separate himself from other edge rushers, but Mykel Williams can take that spot. Williams is yet another talented defensive lineman out of Georgia. Primarily, he plays out on the edge, but his positional versatility allows him to drop back as an outside linebacker or slide inside. At 6-5, 265 lbs, Williams is very strong and has excellent arm length. When combining these two traits, he can push back almost any tackle he goes against and get right into the backfield. Williams also has exceptional speed, allowing him to keep up with most players. When combining these traits, Williams is a weapon in pass rush, but in run defense, he is arguably even better. Williams may not blow up a lot of plays in the backfield like other prospects, but he is the definition of a run-stuffer. Williams is able to slide through blocks and act like a wall on the line of scrimmage. This season, Williams has been dealing with an injury, which is really affecting his playtime, and this may be why his stock has stopped rising. The important thing to notice is that Williams’s draft stock has not fallen either, and with testing at the draft process, there is a real chance his stock will rise to a top 5 pick. This could be a similar rise to fellow Georgia edge rusher Travon Walker in the 2022 NFL Draft.
If you think about what a Saints prototypical edge rush prospect looks like, just think of Mykel Williams. Being 6-5 265 lbs, he is the ideal size and height of a Saints edge rusher. His measurables are very similar to former Saints draft pick Marcus Davenport. Before you worry about that comparison, I am not saying their games are similar. By selecting Mykel Williams, the Saints would improve both the pass rush and run defense while also adding needed speed on the defensive line. There are some risks with this selection. Williams is only 20, and although that may be looked at as a positive, he sill has a lot to learn. In pass rush, Williams has some moves, but he relies on his speed, power, and length. This does not mean he can’t do that in the NFL, because there is a high chance he can, but with more development, he would become one of the best edge rushers in the league. I still believe the Saints should be looking in other directions before drafting Mykel Williams. Still, if they do select him, New Orleans needs to bring in a top defensive line coach to develop the Georgia edge rusher.
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Going from the strength of the class, I will now discuss a prospect from potentially the weakness of the class. In an earlier Saint draft position piece, I talked about how the QB class is one of the main reasons the 2024 Draft Class is perceived as weaker than in previous years. There may be only 2 to 3 QB prospects that end up being drafted in the first round, and one of those prospects is Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. If you did not know, Sanders is the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders and is being coached by his father at Colorado. Being Deion’s son, Shedeur has NFL talent built into him. Shedeur’s improvisation during a play is amazing, and his accuracy on the run is exceptional. The main thing that stands out to me when watching Shedeur play is his ability to put the ball where his receiver can make the play. This aspect of his game shows confidence in his teammates, and it stops the opposing defensive back from ever making a play. His completion percentage is also very impressive, and Shedeur does not throw many interceptions. Shedeur Sanders may not be the most athletic QB prospect, but he is a rushing threat on improvised plays, which keeps the defense on their toes. When faced with pressure, which he has dealt with a lot in college, Sanders can still complete passes even with a rusher in his face. With all of these positives, there are some things Sanders needs to work on. Shedeur can feel pressure, but he tends to leave the pocket very early. This may be because of the constant pressure he has felt, but this is something that has put him in dangerous situations. At times, it seems like Sanders prefers to throw outside of the pocket rather than inside the pocket. When dropping back, Sanders does not set his feet before throwing, and this may be because he wants to get outside of the pocket if it starts to collapse rather than staying and throwing.
If the Saints do go for a quarterback in the first round, Shedeur Sanders would be my pick. There are aspects of his game, like his throw on the run and decision making, that are NFL ready. His football IQ is amazing, and there are things you can’t teach a prospect that he has. In the Saints offense, Sanders would fit in really well. The improvisation would open up the offense, and he knows how to get the best out of his receivers. This is something that many have criticized Derek Carr for, and if the Saints do select Sanders, then Chris Olave could very well have the best season of his young career. Regarding some of the knocks of Sander’s game, these are things that improve with time and development. Like all the other QB prospects in the 2024 draft, Shedeur needs this development. The best-case scenario for the Saints drafting him is if an offensive head coach is hired and Shedeur sits for most of the season. The roster situation next year is not great, but in 2026, there is a good chance this roster will look much better. Putting Shedeur Sanders in the best situation will do wonders for his development, and if New Orleans does this, he may be the next great Saints QB.