Waiting a year to draft a QB could prove worthwhile for New Orleans.
The New Orleans Saints have a big decision to make in a couple weeks. With the 2025 NFL Draft looming and Derek Carr’s availability for next season in question, the Saints need to decide whether or not to spend their first top 10 pick in 15+ years on a quarterback.
Personally, I don’t think they should.
I know I may be in the minority here, but I don’t think this roster is a rookie quarterback away from making the playoffs and contending next season. Unless you find a Jayden Daniels in this year’s draft (and I don’t think there is anyone close to him in this class), then I think you have to take best player available, and I don’t think that’s going to be Shedeur Sanders or Jaxson Dart. This roster has far too many needs to reach on a quarterback in the top 10.
Another reason I think the Saints shouldn’t draft a quarterback is because next year’s QB class is miles ahead of this year’s. I like Cam Ward as a prospect, but I think there are four, maybe even five guys in next year’s class I’d take over Sanders or Dart.
The argument against that is, many people think the Saints will be a better team in 2025 than they were in 2024 with Kellen Moore taking over as head coach. While I was inclined to believe that, with Derek Carr now possibly missing all of next year, I see the Saints being in a similar spot in next year’s draft. I like Spencer Rattler, and I think he has talent, but I don’t think he’s ready to lead this roster to 7+ wins. Even if he’s better than I think and the Saints end up with a pick in the 12-18 range, I think the QBs next year are good enough that you feel pretty comfortable spending some future picks to move up and get one if need be. I can’t say the same about Sanders or Dart.
Let’s take a look at some of the top 2026 QBs to further prove my point.
Arch Manning, Texas
I know Arch is yet to have a full season as a starter under his belt, but when he stepped in for an injured Quinn Ewers, he looked really good. In three games as a starter, Manning threw for 806 yards and eight touchdowns while rushing for 82 yards and two scores. He’s a natural thrower of the football, but he’s also very athletic, which gives you the rushing ability you look for in quarterbacks nowadays.
There are some questions on whether or not he’ll enter the draft with one year of college under his belt, but if he performs the way many think he will, he’ll have a hard time turning down being a top 10 pick in 2026.
Plus, doesn’t a Manning in New Orleans just feel right?
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Another QB I’d take over Sanders or Dart is Garrett Nussmeier. LSU’s QB1 had some struggles in his first year as a starter, but he has a live arm and still threw for 4,000+ yards and nearly 30 touchdowns in 2024. With another year under his belt, he’s expected to take a Jayden Daniels- or Joe Burrow-like leap in year two.
In my opinion, he has the most arm talent of anyone in this draft. He can make any throw on the field and made some throws last year that I think a lot of NFL QBs would struggle with (i.e. the game-tying touchdown against Ole Miss). If he can cut down on the turnovers and start taking what the defense gives him, he’ll have a case for QB1.
LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
If the Saints want to dip back into the South Carolina QB well, they could very well find themselves selecting LaNorris Sellers next year. The Gamecocks QB1 showed tremendous growth as a passer throughout the season and is probably the most athletically gifted QB in the class. If he continues his upward trajectory next year, he’ll find himself in top 10 conversations.
Drew Allar, Penn State
This is where I start getting to the point where I might take Sanders or Dart over one of these 2026 QBs. Drew Allar is the classic case of having all the traits, but not really being able to put it all together. He was a five-star recruit and has flashed his tools (like against Boise State in the CFP and Purdue in the regular season) but has still struggled a lot at times (like against Notre Dame in the CFP). Still, there will be a team willing to take a chance on him, and who knows, he may end up having a great season in 2025 and being a bonafide top 10 pick.
I would 100% take Manning, Nussmeier and Sellers over Sanders right now. Allar, I’m still on the fence about, but a strong senior season would sway me. There are still other great QBs in next year’s class that could make a case for being a first rounder, too:
- Nico Iamaleava
- Cade Klubnik
- Sam Leavitt
- John Mateer
- Miller Moss
- Carson Beck
- Haynes King
- Jackson Arnold
Look, if Moore and the Saints staff really love Sanders or Dart and feel like he’s their guy, go for it. I won’t be mad at that. I just don’t want it to be a situation where they feel like they need to get their guy this year and reach instead of waiting until 2026 where they should be within striking distance of one of those top guys.
I’m not a scout or a head coach or a general manager. I’m just a guy behind a screen who watched college football last year and has an opinion. I just think it would be a mistake to take Sanders or Dart at nine, especially since there will be some very good players on the board that they could use to fill other needs.