The New Orleans Saints were not among the teams awarded a compensatory selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, but they still have plenty to work with.
The league awarded a total of 35 compensatory selections between Rounds 3-7, but they were spread across only 15 teams. Four teams led the way with four selections while half of the league didn’t factor into the formula.
“Picks are positioned from Round 3 to Round 7 based on the value of the compensatory free agents lost. The formula that determines compensatory free agents is based on salary, playing time and postseason honors,” via the league’s website.
The Saints enter the new league year with eight total selections, four of which come from the Washington Commanders.
Even though the Saints didn’t add any selections, they were still impacted by the addition of compensatory picks across the league.
Here’s a look at their updated draft pick order in 2025:
Saints NFL draft picks
Round 1: No. 9 overall
Round 2: No. 40
Round 3: No. 71
Round 3: No. 93 (from Commanders)
Round 4: No. 112
Round 4: No. 131 (from Commanders)
Round 6: No. 184 (from Commanders)
Round 7: No. 248 (from Commanders)
At No. 9 overall, the Saints should be able to find a talented prospect. It doesn’t seem likely they will be in a position to land one of the top quarterbacks so they may have to pivot toward help in the trenches and the secondary.
The Marshon Lattimore trade is the driving force behind four of the Saints’ picks. They received the Nos. 93, 131 and 184 picks in the deal. They also added the No. 248 pick in a trade with Washington that brought defensive tackle John Ridgeway III to New Orleans. The Saints reacquired the pick they sent in that trade (No. 184) as a part of the Lattimore deal.
The Saints haven’t made the playoffs in four years, the longest drought since the early 2000s so there’s certainly hope that this draft class can help snap that streak in a wide-open NFC South.
