NFL Draft war room: Saints have their highest first-round pick since 2008

For his efforts, Colby earned first-team all-Big Ten honors. The next in line of talented Iowa offensive linemen, Colby made 50 career starts for the Hawkeyes.

Wide receiver

None of the New Orleans receivers gained over 600 yards receiving in 2024. The Saints are looking for a true No. 1 weapon on the perimeter.

Tetairoa McMillan, wide receiver, Arizona (6-foot-5, 212 pounds)

Earning first-team All-American honors, McMillan made 84 catches for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns. In addition, he was targeted 136 times and only dropped two passes all season.

Tight end

The Saints have not had a dominant, play-making tight end since the days of Jimmy Graham.

Harold Fannin, Jr., tight end, Bowling Green (6-foot-4, 230 pounds)

An Associated Press (AP) first-team All-American, Fannin led the nation in receiving yards with 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Defensive line/edge-rusher

The Saints ranked 31^st in the league in rushing yards allowed (2,404) and opponents’ average yards per carry (4.9). So, a ton of help is needed along the defensive line.

Mason Graham, DL, Michigan (6-foot-3, 320 pounds)

Rated as the No. 1 interior defensive lineman, according to Pro Football Focus, Graham racked up 45 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and one blocked kick for a Michigan team that ranked No. 5 in the FBS in rushing defense.

The Saints also have needs at quarterback, running back, and in the secondary and could use any of their seven draft picks on these talented players:

Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame (6-foot, 203 pounds) 

Watts recorded six INTs, 74 tackles and nine pass breakups, earning first-team All-American honors for national runner-up Notre Dame.

Another option: Andrew Mukuba , S, Texas (6-0, 190 pounds): Five INTs, 69 tackles.

Cam Ward, QB, Miami (6-foot-2, 223 pounds) 

Arguably, the first quarterback to be taken off the board, Ward threw for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, seven INTs and completed 67 percent of his passes. However, the Saints will have to trade up to get him.

Another option: Seth Henigan, QB, Memphis (6-foot-3, 200 pounds): over 14,000 career passing yards, 104 TDs and 31 INTs as a four-year starter for the Tigers.

Omarion Hampton, running back, North Carolina (6-foot, 220 pounds) 

Hampton was very productive on Tobacco Road, rushing for 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns. For his college career, Hampton rushed for over 3,500 career rushing yards and 37 touchdowns.

Another option: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State (5-foot-9, 215 pounds): 2,601 rushing yards, 29 TDs.

The Saints have not had a 1,000-yard rusher since Mark Ingram II rushed for 1,124 yards in 2017.

New Orleans has not drafted this high in the pecking order in 17 years so getting these draft selections right is crucial for the Saints to have a winning 2025 campaign.