Who Will the Saints Draft at No. 9?

The 2025 NFL Draft is about 6.5 weeks away. The New Orleans Saints, a team navigating salary cap turmoil, own the No. 9 pick, and no one is too sure how the franchise might choose on April 24th.

Who Will the Saints Draft at No. 9?

New Orleans mainly needs an EDGE rusher, wide receiver, tight end, and perhaps an offensive lineman.

So, here’s a peek at who the Saints might pick in Round 1.

5. Tetairoa McMillan (WR)

College: Arizona
Age: 21
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 7th

Why McMillan?

Chris Olave is a terrific wide receiver, but injuries plagued his 2024 campaign — rather incessantly — and Rashid Shaheed is the next man up for WR duty. At heart, Shaheed is much closer to a WR3 than a WR2.

Therefore, if McMillan falls to the Saints — somewhat unlikely and why’s ranked at No. 5 on this list — New Orleans could add a wideout who might just have a Mike Evans-like career trajectory.

4. Tyler Warren (TE)

College: Penn Strate
Age: 22
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 11th

Why Warren?

Foster Moreau is the only viable and playable tight end attached to the Saints’ depth chart before free agency. That is not a smart outlook for 2025.

Warren is the top tight end in this class, and just like that, New Orleans could solidify the TE spot for five-plus years, a span that will likely involve multiple quarterbacks.

It’s worth noting that New Orleans will likely get a crack at Warren, unlike McMillan above. It’ll be up to them whether TE is the Round 1 pick.

3. Jalon Walker (EDGE)

College: Georgia
Age: 21
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 12th

Why Walker?

Walker is a hybrid-style EDGE rusher who can be deployed like Micah Parson in Dallas or Anthony Barr from years past.

New Orleans has two EDGEs lined up for 2025 — Cameron Jordan and Carl Granderson. It needs youth, and Walker is that.

Walker is much smaller than his pass-rushing Georgia teammate — more on him momentarily.

2. Shemar Stewart (EDGE)

College: Texas A&M
Age: 21
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 14th

Why Stewart?

This Aggie’s stock rose after the 2025 NFL Combine, and rightfully so. The man balled out in Indianapolis, and his RAS score shot through the charts.

If New Orleans wants a freakishly athletic talent who perfectly integrates the two Georgia rookies on this list, well, that’s Stewart.

Regarding Walker above, think of Stewart more as a defensive end and Walker as an off-ball linebacker. And remember that New Orleans plays a 4-3 defense.

1. Mykel Williams (EDGE)

College: Georgia
Age: 20
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 13th

Why Williams?

The frontrunner, Williams is the “safest” pass rusher for New Orleans to draft. He has all the physical tools to make an impact immediately and can develop into a game-wrecker.

He’d fit into the Saints’ 4-3 defense like a glove while perfectly blending best player available and team need in April.

The guy hasn’t even turned 21 yet. Youth, youth, and more youth.

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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the Minnesota Vikings, with 4-7 episodes per week. His NFL obsession dates back to 1989. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.