Can Shough be the heir apparent to Derek Carr? Mel Kiper’s 2025 Saints draft grade

B-. ‘Reach, reach, reach’. Remember this when we inevitably melt in 2026.

Mel Kiper knows nothing

Top needs entering the draft: Quarterback, cornerback, wide receiver, guard and edge rusher

Reach, reach, reach. That's what I have in my notes for the Saints. Too many reaches. I was critical of their first round. I was similarly critical of their second and third rounds. Some of that centered on their QB approach -- I had a much higher grade on Shedeur Sanders than I did Tyler Shough, whom they took at No. 40. But I just didn't love their value throughout.

On Shough, are we sure he will be the heir apparent to Derek Carr? The veteran is dealing with a shoulder injury, and his status for 2025 is up in the air. I understand that Shough is 26 years old, but I'm not sure New Orleans can put him on the field this season and expect to win games. And really, if you're taking a quarterback in the top 40, you've got to believe you can win games with him, either immediately or after he catches up to the speed of the league. I don't have that belief.

I liked the selection of offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. in Round 1, but Vernon Broughton was my 20th-ranked defensive tackle, and New Orleans took him in Round 3. There were better safeties available when it drafted Jonas Sanker in the same round, too. The Saints didn't get an edge rusher until Round 7 and didn't take a wide receiver at all.

So what saves this class from a C? They added a few good players on Day 3, including linebacker Danny Stutsman and cornerback Quincy Riley. Those are solid picks. Not stars, but solid prospects. Overall, I would have gone in a different direction if I were in GM Mickey Loomis' shoes.