The New Orleans Saints have a complicated quarterback situation heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. Though Derek Carr is under contract until 2027, the veteran isn’t a high-level starting signal-caller capable of elevating the team to a playoff contender.
The Saints can also save $50 million in cap space by moving on from Carr with a post-June 1st designation next offseason, so 2025 could be his final year in New Orleans.
It’s clear Carr isn’t the Saints’ long-term answer at quarterback, which is why NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has the franchise trading back into the first round with the Philadelphia Eagles and selecting Ole Miss signal-caller Jaxson Dart with the No. 32 overall pick. Zierlein also has New Orleans taking Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell with the ninth pick.
“With teams like the Giants (No. 34 overall) and Raiders (No. 37) sitting in front of the Saints (No. 40) in the second round, New Orleans swaps with the Eagles to land a quarterback,” Zierlein wrote.
Dart has been shooting up draft boards after impressive performances at the Senior Bowl and Scouting Combine. ESPN’s Jordan Reid stated in a recent article that many teams have Dart as the No.2 quarterback on their draft boards, and believes the Ole Miss standout will likely be a first-round pick.
“There will be plenty of Day 1 landing spots for Dart. I’ve heard he’s actually the second-best QB on some teams’ boards,” Reid
Trading for the final pick in Round 1 to select Dart would be a masterful move by the Saints. The 21-year-old would immediately become the quarterback of the future for Kellen Moore’s squad and would receive the opportunity to learn behind an experienced veteran in Carr during his rookie campaign.
Dart’s arm talent and pinpoint accuracy make him an exciting prospect at the next level, and New Orleans should consider trading up and selecting him with a first-round draft choice if he is still on the board late on Day 1.
