The 2025 NFL Draft is here, and the biggest question in New Orleans figures to remain unanswered as Round 1 approaches.
The Saints are not expected to have clarity on Derek Carr‘s shoulder injury and what the future holds for their starting quarterback prior to tonight’s first round, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday, per sources.
New Orleans and Carr were hoping to have a clearer outlook on an injury which could threaten the veteran’s availability for the 2025 season. Rapoport reported on April 11 that Carr is weighing his options, including the possibility of surgery. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis told reporters Wednesday that an update would come sooner rather than later, but clarified that the uncertainty of the situation won’t affect the club’s draft plans.
Holders of the No. 9 overall pick, the Saints are in position to draft one of the top QB prospects in order to prepare for life without Carr. Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler, who shared starts while Carr was out with injury in 2024, would be the starting options in NOLA should Carr be out and the Saints decide not to draft a QB. Backup Ben DiNucci is also on the roster.
It’s a peculiar spot for a Saints team that hasn’t picked inside the top 10 since 2008. Carr inked a four-year, $150 million contract to lead the Saints ahead of the 2023 season, but New Orleans’ playoff-less streak has since extended to four straight seasons. Carr holds a 14-13 record as the Saints’ starter the past two seasons.
We will find out tonight what the Saints do despite the uncertainty, and whether Loomis deems Shedeur Sanders or Jaxson Dart — the perceived top QB prospects outside of Cam Ward, who’s expected to go No. 1 overall to Tennessee — as top-10 picks. The Saints GM wasn’t showing his cards the day before Round 1, but what the team does with its first-rounder figures to indicate their plan going forward.
“I think there’s guys that are good quarterbacks, really good quarterbacks,” Loomis said Wednesday. “I don’t know that the quantity is the same that it is some other years, but that goes up and down.
“One thing about that position: I think you fall in love with somebody. [For] each of our teams, I think that’s a different guy.”
