Will Saints take SEC QB instead of Colorado's Shedeur Sanders?

The New Orleans Saints have been considered a destination for Colorado's Shedeur Sanders. However, they may have their eye on another passer.

"I don't think New Orleans is taking Shedeur," an NFL personnel executive told ESPN's Adam Schefter in a story published Monday. "I think they're hot and heavy on [Ole Miss QB] Jaxson Dart."

The Ringer's Todd McShay — a longtime NFL Draft analyst — also thinks the Saints aren't high on Sanders.

"New Orleans is not taking Shedeur at nine," McShay said Monday on his podcast. "And in fact, New Orleans isn't taking Shedeur, probably at 40. I'll say it again. New Orleans probably isn't taking Shedeur at 40 if he was there, OK?"

Schefter added the Saints could use their first-round pick on an offensive or defensive lineman and trade back into the first round to take a QB or wait until Day 2 to grab one.

Regardless, New Orleans needs another QB. Starting QB Derek Carr is battling a shoulder injury and could miss the upcoming season. Backup QB Spencer Rattler went 0-6 in six starts during his rookie season in 2024. 

Whether Dart (6-foot-2, 223 pounds) is a better option than Sanders (6-foot-2, 212 pounds) is debatable. In 13 games in 2024, the Ole Miss star threw for 4,279 passing yards and 29 touchdown passes. Sanders, meanwhile, had 4,134 passing yards and 37 TD passes in 13 starts. 

Unlike Sanders, who played under former NFL offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur at Colorado, Dart has yet to prove he can play in a pro-style system.

"Here's the one concern I have with Dart," Fox Sports' Joel Klatt said Monday on his podcast while comparing him to Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix. "With Bo, you could project him into Sean Payton's offense, but I struggle with projecting how Dart will play coming out of Lane Kiffin's offense." 

Despite the potential weaknesses for Dart, don't expect New Orleans to change its mind just days before the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled for Thursday to Saturday in Green Bay.