With the 2025 NFL draft now officially in the books, the Saints seemed to finish strong addressing many of their remaining needs on day three. Much of the value for the team came on the defense side of the ball, hitting on a couple of possible Day 2 contributors at key positions. After some questions from fans about the first two days’ worth of selections, the team certainly gained approval with talent that should push for roster spots almost immediately. 

Here’s our updated list of the Saints’ team needs:

12. Punter 

Players under contract: Matthew Hayball

Draft picks: N/A 

UDFA’s: James Burnip

Hayball surprised us all with an impressive rookie season, finishing as one of the top punters in the conference statistically. After years of searching for legend Thomas Morstead’s replacement, the team might have just found their guy in Hayball. 

11. Quarterback

Players under contract: Derek Carr, Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener

Draft picks: Tyler Shough (No. 40)

The line out of Airline Drive at the moment is that Carr will be the starting quarterback Week 1, if he is in fact able to play this season. That said, the uncertainty of Carr’s injury sets up second-round selection Tyler Shough to be the starter. Barring an undeniable camp by last year’s fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler, things are likely headed this way. 

10. Offensive tackle

Players under contract: Taliese Fuaga, Trevor Penning, Landon Young, Josh Ball, Josiah Ezirim

Draft picks: Kelvin Banks Jr. (No. 9)

UDFA’s: Easton Kilty

The addition of Kelvin Banks at No. 9 overall, gives this offensive tackle room a chance to be the strength of this team. With three first round picks invested over the past few years, this group has all the makings to be one of the top units in the league. Offensive line coach Brenden Nugent and his assistants will be very crucial in their development this upcoming season. 

9. Defensive tackle

Players under contract: Bryan Bresee, Davon Godchaux, Nathan Shepherd, Khalen Saunders, John Ridgeway III, Khristian Boyd

Draft picks: Vernon Broughton (No. 71)

UDFA’s: Omari Thomas 

One of the deepest units on the team led by Bryan Bresee and new acquisition Davon Godchaux. A position that doesn’t have a ton of top end talent but now a ton of depth with the addition of Vernon Broughton in Round 3 (No. 71). With only four bodies active on Sunday’s and a scheme that will likely require even less on the roster, there will certainly be an odd man out, possibly even more. 

8. Safety

Players under contract: Tyrann Mathieu, Justin Reid, Jordan Howden, J.T. Gray, Millard Bradford, Ugo Amadi

Draft picks: Jonas Sanker (No. 93)

UDFA’s: Elliot Davison

This group feels much better with the addition of safety Justin Reid in free agency, a top tier talent at the position. The team was also able to double down by investing a third-round pick in Virginia’s Jonas Sanker who has a similar skillset as a downhill player at the position. The hope is that Sanker can get some meaningful snaps right away to lighten the load off an aging Tyrann Mathieu. 

7. Linebacker

Players under contract: Demario Davis, Pete Werner, Nephi Sewell, Jaylan Ford, Anfernee Orji, D’Marco Jackson, Isaiah Stalbird

Draft picks: Danny Stutsman (No. 112)

UDFA’s: Tyreem Powell

Linebacker was a spot that felt like needed someone in the pipeline behind Demario Davis and Pete Werner. Stutsman, a value pick in Round 4 (No. 112) is a highly productive Mike linebacker who compiled 376 tackles at Oklahoma. He should find himself as the next man up this season, while developing into Davis’ eventual replacement at the position. 

6. Offensive interior

Players under contract: Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, Dillon Radunz, Nick Saldiveri, Will Clapp, Kyle Hergel

Draft picks: Kelvin Banks Jr. (No. 9)

UDFA’s: Torricelli Simpkins III

Banks is included here as someone who provides position flexibility along the offensive line, depending on where the team decides to play him. McCoy and Ruiz give the team their mainstays on the inside while competition will be had at the left guard spot. Radunz, Saldvieri and Will Clapp will all be options there. Possibly even Trevor Penning or Kelvin Banks as well. 

5. Tight end

Players under contract: Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, Dallin Holker, Taysom Hill, Jack Stoll, Michael Jacobson, Treyton Welch

Draft picks: Moliki Matavo (No. 248)

The tight end position is a lot of meh. The team did re-up Juwan Johnson this offseason locking him up for three more seasons however, there’s a ton of uncertainty with the group as a whole. Both Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill are both coming off of severe knee injuries that could sideline them for an extended period of time. Johnson is also a player of great question as one with tons of potential but inconsistent play over his career. 

4. Running back

Players under contract: Alvin Kamara, Jordan Mims, Kendre Miller, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Xazavian Valladay, Velus Jones Jr.

Draft picks: Devin Neal (No. 184)

UDFA’s: Marcus Yarns

The team failed to grab one of the top backs in a deep running back class, but was able to great value taking Kansas star Devin Neal in Round 6. Neal is a highly productive player, compiling three straight 1,000-yard seasons at Kansas. His ability to maintain balance through contact is his best trait, reminiscent of his new teammate Alvin Kamara. Neal has a legit shot to be the teams RB2 depending on the health status of Kendre Miller, who has failed to put together a full season. 

3. Wide receiver

Players under contract: Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Brandin Cooks, Cedrick Wilson Jr., Bub Means, Kevin Austin Jr., Dante Pettis, Mason Tipton

Draft picks: N/A

UDFA’s: Chris Tyree, Moochie Dixon

Going unaddressed during the draft, receiver could seem like a glaring need at the moment. With the top three guys at the position being Olave, Shaheed and Cooks, the team still lacks the possession guy that was once the great Michael Thomas. Keenan Allen could be a potential option in free agency, but a one-year rental just doesn’t make sense for this team right now. 

2. Edge rusher

Players under contract: Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Isaiah Foskey; Cameron Jordan, Ryder Anderson, Jonah Williams

Draft picks: Fadil Diggs (No. 254) 

UDFA’s: Jasheen Davis

The team decided to bring back Chase Young this offseason, who was tops in the league in pressures a season ago despite low sack totals. Banking on Young’s production and a resurgence from Carl Granderson, there’s a lot of hopefuls here. They did add Fadil Diggs out of Syracuse in the seventh round (No. 254) who adds a unique blend of size and athleticism to the defensive line. However, there isn’t much of a sure thing with anyone on this roster anymore with Cam Jordan’s hay day’s coming to an end. 

1. Cornerback

Players under contract: Alontae Taylor, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Isaac Yiadom, Rico Payton, Rejzohn Wright, Travion Fluellen

Draft picks: Quincey Riley (No. 131)

UDFA’s: Dalys Beanum

After whiffing on Charvarius Ward in free agency, the team failed to get a surefire No. 1 corner after the departures of both Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo. Pivoting to a familiar face in Issac Yiadom who has had some exceptional spot starts in his career, still doesn’t move the needle for this team. Getting Quincey Riley in Round 4 (No. 131) though does give the team another option. A very competitive, man-to-man corner who should’ve been drafted much higher than he was. Riley should be competing day one for a starting spot opposite Kool-Aid McKinstry with the potential to become a Paulson Adebo-level player within the next few years.Â