Saints Receive Surprising NFL Draft Grades

The New Orleans Saints have officially made all of their NFL Draft selections, so now it’s time to grade their picks. Following another disappointing season, first-year head coach Kellen Moore faced the difficult task of rebuilding this team with a major question mark at the quarterback position.

New Orleans Saints 2025 NFL Draft Grades

First Round (9th Overall) – Kelvin Banks, OT

The New Orleans Saints made the right selection to kick off the 2025 NFL Draft. While the team could use a quarterback, Moore and General Manager Mickey Loomis knew not to reach for a subpar talent in this underwhelming class. Instead, New Orleans solidified the offensive line with the Kelvin Banks selection. With Trevor Penning not part of the future plans, Banks could immediately start at left tackle while moving Taliese Fuaga over to the right side, the position he played in college.

Saints Draft Grade: A

Kelvin Banks NFL Draft Profile

Second Round (40th Overall) – Tyler Shough, QB

On the one hand, the New Orleans Saints need a quarterback. On the other hand, did they need this quarterback? Tyler Shough has his fun moments on tape, but he’ll be 26 at the start of the season, endured multiple serious injuries in college, and has a penchant for boneheaded plays. This is a bad quarterback class, and there is a chance Shough will be the second- or third-best passer to come out of this group of prospects. However, that’s still barely enough to justify a reach this egregious.

Saints Draft Grade: D

Tyler Shough NFL Draft Profile

Third Round (71st Overall) – Vernon Broughton, DT

The New Orleans Saints needed more talent on their defensive line, and Vernon Broughton will help increase the team’s sack total. However, his abilities are a little too similar to Bryan Breese to earn a high grade. Both players are considerably better against the pass than the run and Broughton won’t do much to stop the Saints early-down struggles in the middle of the defense. Still, getting after the quarterback is more important than stopping the running backs, and these two could be a ferocious duo on passing downs.

Saints Draft Grade: B-

Vernon Broughton NFL Draft Profile

Third Round (93rd Overall) – Jonas Sanker, S

Jonas Sanker is a little rough around the edges and might not be able to contribute right away, but he’s a fine selection late in the third round of the NFL Draft. With Tyrann Mathieu returning for another season, Sanker can learn behind the star veteran before potentially earning a full-time role in 2025.

Saints Draft Grade: B+

Jonas Sanker NFL Draft Profile

Fourth Round (112th Overall) – Danny Stutsman, LB

The Saints need help throughout their defense, and Danny Stutsman might be a starter for years to come. Blessed with a high football IQ and adequate athleticism, Stutsman can be a good option in the middle of a defense but might be a liability in coverage and if asked to track plays outside.

Saints Draft Grade: B

Danny Stutsman NFL Draft Profile

Fourth Round (131st Overall) – Quincy Riley, CB

Talent and need are perfectly aligned here, as the cornerback-desperate Saints found a potential starter midway through the fourth round of the NFL Draft. While he’s coming off a rough year, Riley’s ability to get after the football should allow him to earn snaps right away for a defense that must find more young talent in the secondary.

Saints Draft Grade: A

Quincy Riley NFL Draft Profile

Sixth Round (184th Overall) – Devin Neal, RB

This was a good year to need a running back. Devin Neal is no superstar, but he probably would have been a third- or fourth-round pick if he had come out in last year’s class. The Saints must find an eventual successor to Alvin Kamara, as the Saints star isn’t getting any younger and Kendre Miller hasn’t inspired confidence when healthy. Devin Neal is no guarantee to be the Saints next starting running back, but he’s well worth the gamble in the sixth round.

Saints Draft Grade: A-

Devin Neal NFL Draft Profile

Seventh Round (248th Overall) – Moliki Matavao, TE

As you’d expect from a late seventh-round pick, Moliki Matavao probably will not be a starter in this league. However, he’s a solid blocker, and his ability to keep defensive linemen at bay should be useful for a team that will probably start a rookie quarterback for a portion of the upcoming season. If he makes the roster, he’ll probably serve as a glorified sixth offensive lineman in the trenches.

Saints Draft Grade: B

Seventh Round (254th Overall) – Fadil Diggs, EDGE

Fadil Diggs is a work in progress, as he has the physical traits to be a role player in the NFL but lacks the consistency and fundamentals to justify a roster spot. This is the type of player you hope to select in the back of the seventh, as Kellen Moore and company can spend the next few months coaching him up and seeing if he has any untapped potential. Chances are, he’ll spend 2025 on the practice squad with a real shot of earning playing time in 2026.

Saints Draft Grade: B-