When the New Orleans Saints lost their final four games last season, it was the dreary end to a massively disappointing year. However, it did have an ancillary benefit: The Saints rose to No. 9 in the 2025 NFL Draft order,

NFL Draft season has arrived. For the New Orleans Saints, they made a ton of moves during free agency to fill some needs and provide depth along their roster. With that, they can focus on pure talent and potential with much of their 2025 NFL Draft class.

The 2025 NFL Draft is fast approaching, and there are plenty of non-quarterbacks who could shake up the event. Think Travis Hunter, whose two-way prowess has NFL clubs divided over where he'll line up; or Abdul Carter, whose pass rushing acumen could still make him one of the top players selected.

On Tuesday, ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. took his best stab at predicting where Sanders would ultimately end up—and it's not as far down as many would have predicted. Per Kiper, the New Orleans Saints will pick Sanders with the No. 9 overall pick, securing their quarterback of the future under new head coach Kellen Moore.

After poring over both rounds of Kiper's new mock draft, here are our big takeaways. Even Kiper, who has been very pro-Sanders, has the former Colorado quarterback dropping to No. 9 and the New Orleans Saints.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. dropped his final mock draft of the 2025 cycle and in it he threw the Bucs a bone on defense.