Saints 7-round mock draft after latest wave of NFL free agency: New Orleans gives Kellen Moore weapons & gets gritty on defense

With plenty of moves in their bag already, the New Orleans Saints continue to carve out clear needs for the 2025 NFL Draft class. They've brought back a couple of their own big-time free agents and also grazed on the market to find some veteran help on both sides of the ball. All that being […]

Adam Holt — NFL News Writer
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With plenty of moves in their bag already, the New Orleans Saints continue to carve out clear needs for the 2025 NFL Draft class. They've brought back a couple of their own big-time free agents and also grazed on the market to find some veteran help on both sides of the ball.

All that being said, I conducted a seven-round mock draft for the Saints following their biggest moves of free agency so far. 

New Orleans Saints 7-round mock draft

Round 1, Pick 7: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

After bringing back TE Juwan Johnson, that need seems like necessary in round one. Tyler Warren was often the selection here recently, but taking him right after that extension would be a bit of a head-scratcher, based on needs elsewhere on New Orleans' roster.

Instead, they grab the ultra-talented, big-body wideout in Tet McMillan here. 

Every NFL offense that doesn't have a true X WR is looking for one. And in this year's draft, every team searching for it should have McMillan ranked high, if not at the top of their board. You can't teach a WR to have his elite measurables and incredible production go along with it, making him one of the top WRs in this year's draft class. His overall draft position probably comes down to the style of WR a team is targeting, but he should certainly hear his name called in the top half of the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. 

— Destin Adams

Round 2, Pick 40: Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State

The offensive line remains thin, on both the interior and exterior for the Saints. Jackson has positional versatility but projects mostly as a guard at the pro level. 

New Orleans is still searching for an answer at left guard since Lucas Patrick is still a free agent. Jackson would immediately slide into a potential starting role, and I think he is one of the most NFL-ready interior OL prospects in this year's class. 

Round 3, Pick 71: Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State

Adding Parrish to a secondary with Alontae Taylor, Justin Reid, and Tyrann Mathieu makes a ton of sense. Where Parrish loses some leverage in height, he gains it back with energy and ferocity on a play-by-play basis. 

Parrish's stature projects him as a slot defender at the pro level, but the Saints did play Alontae Taylor outside last year, so that role could be wide open in 2025. Only time will tell if they will target an inside or outside CB early in this year's draft. No matter what – love this fit for Brandon Staley's defense. 

43.6% reception rate allowed in man coverage in 2024: Despite his smaller stature, Parrish fit right in with KSU's press man-heavy scheme. 44.2% of his coverage snaps were man-to-man and he made life difficult for receivers in one-on-one situations. Only Colorado's Travis Hunter a likely top-3 pick and Oklahoma State's Korie Black played man more often and had a higher Pro Football Focus coverage grade in the scheme than Parrish's 64.8. He also missed just one tackle on pass plays in either man or zone coverage last year. — John Sheeran

Round 3, Pick 93: Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon

While tight end does not project as a round one need for New Orleans now, they could use some legitimate depth there. Ferguson dominated the NFL Scouting Combine and shows off his vertical threat ability on tape. 

He's a great fit with Derek Carr, who will be the starting QB next season for the Saints. 

Round 4, Pick 112: D.J. Giddens, RB, Kansas State

Value, value, value. Giddens is one of my favorite RB prospects in this entire class. He may hear his name called a bit earlier than this, but he fell to New Orleans in this scenario. 

Giddens plays with impressive contact balance and patience, but he also has the burst to break out for long gains at the pro level. Not to mention, he is a willing pass blocker who can continue to develop in that area in a backup role behind Alvin Kamara. 

Round 4, Pick 131: Jeffrey Bassa, LB, Oregon

Willie Gay Jr. is a free agent for the Saints. The veteran was a depth piece last year when healthy, but they haven't replaced or brought him back quite yet. 

With that, the LB3 spot seems like a competition between Nephi Sewell and Anfernee Orji, potentially. Grabbing another young option makes a ton of sense for the defense here in round four. 

Round 6, Pick 184: Jah Joyner, EDGE, Minnesota

Bringing back Chase Young took EDGE rusher off my round one radar for the Saints – for now. With how the board fell, I liked value at other spots on day two and early day three. 

The Saints take a swing on athleticism and burst with Joyner here, who showed off some impressive pass rush moves in his final year as a Golden Gopher. 

Round 7, Pick 248: Trey Wedig, OT, Indiana

Another depth pick along the Saints' offensive line here. After an interior selection early on, New Orleans grabs a potential backup tackle option in Wedig. He's a prospect with a ton of college experience. 

Let me know your thoughts on this latest Saints mock draft via social media!

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