The New Orleans Saints had a season to forget in 2024. They finished last in the NFC South with a disappointing 5-12 record, failing to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
There have been concerns over the Saints’ aging squad and the need for an overhaul before the 2025 season. However, Drew Brees, the last New Orleans quarterback to make the playoffs, believes otherwise.
Drew Brees Outlines the New Orleans Saints’ 2025 NFL Draft Needs
Any given pick can alter a franchise for the better, but picking in the top 10 could open the door for a high-level to fall to New Orleans. In 2024, Jayden Daniels led the Washington Commanders to the playoffs, changing the organization’s outlook with one selection. Neither Daniels nor Brees will be walking into the building in April, but landing a star at any position could prove to be significant in accelerating the rebuild.
However, the iconic quarterback believes the Saints already have a great player, Derek Carr, under center. Carr missed much of the 2024 season due to injuries, but New Orleans was 5-5 in games where he played and 0-7 in games he didn’t. He finished 11th by PFN’s QB+ metric.
Speaking in an interview with RG, Brees showed confidence in Carr and the New Orleans offense but suggested minor improvements to the defense.
“When I look at the Saints from an offensive skill set position, they’ve got a quarterback who can be very effective in Derek Carr,” Brees said. “They’ve got receivers who can run. They’ve got Taysom Hill and Alvin Kamara. But you could always add another playmaker.”
Alvin Kamara led the Saints in rushing yards (950), attempts (228), and touchdowns (six, tied with Taysom Hill). But the other side of the ball caught Brees’ eye.
“No team can have enough pass rushers. That is the great equalizer in the league, especially when it comes to being effective on defense,” Brees said.
The two-time Offensive Player of The Year also stressed the need for versatile players to raise the floor of a unit when injuries strike.
“Can you rush the passer with four?” Brees asked. “And, so, you are always looking for pass rushers, always looking for depth, always looking for guys that can play multiple positions, because guys get injured, and you have to flip-flop guys around.”
The Saints have the No. 0 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. But before they retool the roster, they need to fill out the coaching staff. They fired Dennis Allen midseason in 2024 and are now being linked to Kellen Moore. Expect the eventual hire to shape the upcoming draft class with his vision for the next era of New Orleans football.
