Saints bypass Shedeur Sanders, draft offensive tackle Kelvin Banks

Despite widespread speculation that the New Orleans Saints would target Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft due to concerns over Derek Carr's lingering shoulder injury, the team instead selected Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. with the ninth overall pick. This move addressed a pressing need on the offensive line, leaving the Saints' quarterback situation unresolved and prompting ongoing questions about their plans at the position. The Saints' decision continues a long-standing trend of not drafting quarterbacks in the first round under GM Mickey Loomis. Meanwhile, analysts note that Sanders experienced a notable slide in the draft, with some mock drafts projecting him to fall further to teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Saints' choice suggests a focus on strengthening their offensive front rather than immediately seeking a quarterback replacement, despite external and internal speculation. As a result, uncertainty remains around who will start at quarterback for New Orleans in the upcoming season.