Could something happen in the 2nd round?
The New Orleans Saints are currently entering the 2025 NFL Draft with nine picks: 9, 40, 71, 93, 112, 131, 184, 248, and 254. This current roster needs more young talent, and nine picks in the draft is a good way to add that, but it should not be expected that the Saints sit and pick for all these selections. Trading up is always a worrying thing associated with New Orleans and the NFL Draft. Still, trading up for smaller jumps that do not touch next year’s draft capital should be considered with nine picks to use, which could happen with pick 40. Per Adam Schefter, the Saints have started to make “exploratory” calls to trade up from their second-round selection.
Saints already have made exploratory calls about trading up in the second round, per league sources.
This, and other insights, in our annual ESPN draft intel column.https://t.co/7X6U85FDa4
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 21, 2025
This headline is very interesting for two reasons: New Orleans could trade up to an earlier pick in the second or they could trade up in the back of the first. Both options make sense because of the QB situation at the end of the first. Shedeur Sanders draft stock seems to be dropping more and more the closer we get to the draft, Jaxson Dart is loved by some teams, Tyler Shough may be the most complete QB prospect this year, and Jalen Milroe has the most potential in the NFL Draft.
With the Saints not likely to pick a QB at 9, going back into the first or trading up in the second to get one they love makes sense. Also, because this prospect would not be getting picked at 9, there is much less pressure for them to play right away. Players like Milroe or Dart need time to develop, and the Saints can still start Rattler or a veteran this season.