The New Orleans Saints have never been afraid of surprising people during the NFL draft. 

The latest 2025 NFL mock draft from Destin Adams gives Saints fans a different look for their class, compared to many other scenarios for April's event. 

Saints take round one risk

9. New Orleans Saints: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

Walter Nolen was one of the most dominant players at this year's Senior Bowl. His power and athleticism at the DT position should make him a popular player in this process. The Saints need to add talent on the defensive line, and Nolen would be able to give them needed pass rush ability as a rookie. — Destin Adams

This pick does not get made often with how the board fell in this particular mock. 

With the Saints on the clock, Will Campbell, arguably the top offensive lineman in the class, is available. Will Johnson, a potential CB1 for an NFL team, is on the board, too. 

Other notable players available include Ashton Jeanty, Mike Green, James Pearce Jr., none of which were the selection for the Saints. 

Instead, the Saints take a big swing on potential with defensive lineman Walter Nolen. Nolen had a great week at the Senior Bowl and shows off some splashy traits as a prospect. 

That being said, I'm just not sure Nolen makes a ton of sense here, as New Orleans does still have Bryan Bresee as a pass rush-first interior DL on his rookie deal. That being said, they certainly do need more help in the trenches this offseason. 

40. New Orleans Saints: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

Really like the fit of Hairston in New Orleans. The need at cornerback for the Saints is clear, especially if Paulson Adebo departs in free agency. 

Hairston is a physical DB who fits the type of secondary defender that New Orleans has valued in recent years, and he would get playing time immediately as a rookie. 

Due to the injury this year, Hairston has become one of the more undervalued cornerbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft class. From a pure man coverage perspective, he has one of the highest upsides in the class. His combination of length, ball skills, and recovery speed should allow him to matchup against a variety of play styles and body types.

— Ryan Roberts

Offense improves in round 3

71. New Orleans Saints: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State

Higgins is one of my favorite day two offensive targets in this entire class. The big-bodied wideout wins down the field and provides a different body type for the Saints' WR depth chart. 

Higgins is the prototype big-bodied boundary receiver who wins above the rim with size, body control, and his catch radius. There are speed limitations but Higgins wins well enough in other areas to make up for those deficiencies, although it projects as a solid secondary pass catcher on the next level. 

— Ryan Roberts

93. New Orleans Saints: Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon

Tight end could be a major need for the Saints by the time April rolls around.

 Juwan Johnson is an impending FA, and Taysom Hill is coming off a season-ending torn ACL from last season. Foster Moreau could also be a potential cut candidate for cap space savings. Accordingly, addressing TE in the draft may be vital for the Saints' offense. 

Ferguson is a balanced prospect at the position. He works hard in the blocking game and really grew this past season for the Ducks when it comes to his receiving output. 

Ferguson's blocking skills, though not dominant, are sufficient to keep him on the field in most situations. As he continues to develop his strength and technique, he has the potential to become a true three-down tight end at the next level. With his combination of receiving ability and blocking potential, Ferguson should find a role quickly in an NFL offense and has the upside to develop into a reliable starter.

— NFL Draft Buzz 

While the first-round selection is one that I would probably choose a different route on, this sort of class for Kellen Moore could pay off for them over the next few seasons. 

New Orleans needs to have a productive draft in order to get off on the right foot with a brand new coaching staff. 

Recent 2025 NFL mock draft would be a home run scenario for new Saints head coach Kellen Moore

Mock drafts keep coming, and they won't stop coming. The 2025 NFL Draft is just over two months away, and the New Orleans Saints have their new head coach to help lead the way when it comes to the incoming crop of rookies for the black and gold. In In Chad Reuter's latest mock draft […]