Canal Street Chronicles
It is Mock Draft Time!
The New Orleans Saints won’t be major players in free agency due to their cap issues, so the draft will be a big focus this offseason. With new schemes coming in and improvements desperately needed to be made, the 2025 NFL Draft is full of talent that can elevate this team and change the outlook of next season.
With the Saints’ first pick in the draft, they can go in many different directions. The roster needs talent and improvements, so going with the best available player is the best decision at 9. For this mock draft, that prospect is wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan out of Arizona. McMillan is the best pure receiver in the draft and will be a big-time player in the NFL. Currently measured at 6-foot-5, 212 lbs., McMillan may be put into that “big receiver” stereotype of being able to make contested catches but not speed past defenders or be a good route runner. Well, he is actually good at all of those things. McMillan can play at every receiver position on the field, is excellent in contested situations, runs past defenders after the catch, and creates space with his route running.
The Saints have been missing a physical receiver who can win in contested catches since the departure of Michael Thomas, and what better way to fix that than drafting a WR who can be the number one weapon on the offense. The Saints’ current receiver room is pretty good with Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave, but with their injuries and lack of depth on the roster, WR should still be considered a need in the offseason. Drafting McMillan would make this receiver room one of the best in the NFL and give whoever is playing QB for the Saints a group of receiving options.
If a team needs a defensive lineman, this year’s draft will be perfect. The talent and depth of the D-line prospects are excellent, which is great news for the Saints, and at pick 40, Donovan Ezeiruaku would be a great selection. In pass rush, he can speed past offensive tackles and blow up any play in the backfield. In 2024/25, Ezeiruaku had a whopping 16.5 sacks. He plays with fantastic speed, bend, and has some pass rush moves to get past offensive linemen. In run defense, Ezeiruaku is excellent at setting the edge and blowing up plays with his speed. There is one issue with his game. Ezeiruaku is undersized at 6-foot-2 and 247 lbs., so putting him primarily in an outside linebacker role may be best for him. Depending on his development, Ezeiruaku can still play as that edge defender in a 4-3 defensive front.
Donovan Ezeiruaku is not just the best prospect available but would also fix a significant need for the Saints. There is a high chance the Saints utilize more 3-4 defensive fronts this...
