Yates: Selling. There's little chance Derek Carr's shoulder injury was a surprise to the Saints, so I don't expect it to dramatically change their stance at No. 9. Ultimately, for New Orleans to take a quarterback that high, the decision-makers have to be in love with that prospect. I have not gotten the sense that the Saints are there with Sanders. But it's important to remember very few parties are motivated to reveal their intentions before the draft, which makes it difficult to know what's true. It's smokescreen season. I'll sell this … for now.

One nugget, though: While I generally lean away from the Saints taking a QB with the ninth pick, some evaluators believe Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart and Louisville's Tyler Shough are legitimate targets for the Saints over the course of the draft.

Miller: Selling. The Saints have clear deficiencies all over their roster, which is bloated with bad contracts. Reaching for a passer at No. 9 won't change their outlook. This is the same front office that drafted Spencer Rattler in the fifth round last year, and a source told me that they still like his ability and upside a lot. New coach Kellen Moore could change that dynamic, but this isn't a team that's a quarterback away, from a team-building standpoint.

Reid: Buying. The Saints' offseason moves signal they believe they're a "win now" team, including bringing back edge rusher Chase Young on a three-year deal and adding safety Justin Reid. But in reality, they just need to rebuild. And one of the best ways to maneuver an expensive QB on the roster during a rebuild is drafting a potential long-term answer on a rookie deal. With Sanders and Rattler, the Saints would have two inexpensive options under center while the Carr situation becomes more clear. If Sanders is still there at No. 9, I think New Orleans jumps at the chance to add him.

13 comments

  2. Yates and Kiper have Shedeur going to New Orleans at 9 in their most recent mock drafts, then Field says he doesn’t like the chances of the Saints taking him at 9.

    I think I could have a chance with this whole “Draft Analyst” thing.

  3. I don’t understand why people keep using Carr for the reason the Saints may or may not choose a QB. Carr playing or not playing is irrelevant. I also agree that the Saints probably leaked the injury info on Carr in the hopes of trying to entice a team to jump ahead of them to draft Sanders but I don’t think that will work, and I don’t think the Saints will draft Sanders. I believe the Saints will choose a DL, OL, T Mac or a CB. The team may take a chance on a QB in rounds 2 – 4 though but I don’t understand why the Saints would keep taking QB’s that low with all of the needs we have. If T Mac is there for the Saints he would be my pick!

  6. I would love to see us pick BPA at 9, and then trade back in to get a QB at the end of the first (Philly loves to cook us, feels like a perfect fit)

  7. I’m pretty agnostic on Shedeur and whether the Saints pick him. I’ll be fine either way.

    But I DO worry about the estimation of a player’s abilities who is basically projected anywhere from 3rd overall, or then maybe 9th, to falling out the first round altogether.

    The idea that you would spend a #9 pick on a player where scouts and executives aren’t all seeing the same thing, AND at a position where if you miss it sets the franchise back….I don’t love the uncertainty.

    If the Saints traded back a few spots to pick up some later round material for this draft or next and THEN picked Shedeur, I could roll with that.

  8. SELLING!… Hopefully… Sanders has “bust” written all over him!, no matter how many times his Daddy retires his number and tells you he’s great! The kid is mid at best!

  10. I love Spencer and want to see him given a fair chance with an intact O Line and our starting receivers. I think we should invest in a big body receiver at 9.

  11. They never predict who the Saints pick, they’ve never been right, ever. I suspect we will be using google on draft day because everybody gonna be saying who dat?

  12. I think it’s extremely odd that Kellen Moore wasn’t at the Shedeur workout if they were actually seriously considering him. But I could be wrong. 

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