Saints Land Top Georgia Edge Rusher in Latest NFL Mock Draft
The New Orleans Saints address a major need by selecting elite pass rusher Jalon Walker with the ninth overall pick in the latest CBS Sports NFL mock draft. With several key areas to improve, the Saints have plenty of options when their turn arrives in the 2025 NFL Draft. They could target a quarterback if one becomes available, bolster their offensive line, add a playmaker for Derek Carr, or strengthen their defense.
Many analysts predict the Saints will focus on offense, especially with new Head Coach Kellen Moore’s background, but CBS’s Garrett Podell projects them to prioritize defense. This would be their first top-10 selection in over 15 years, and given their struggles in generating sacks—ranking 19th in 2024 (2.4 sacks per game) and 28th in 2023 (2.0 sacks per game)—adding a dynamic edge rusher makes sense.
Walker, a standout from Georgia, tallied 6.5 sacks and 34 pressures last season. Notably, he delivered a dominant performance against Texas in the SEC Championship game, recording six pressures and a sack, in addition to three sacks against them in the regular season. The Saints have recently met with multiple Georgia players, including Walker, signaling serious interest.
While flashy offensive picks like Shedeur Sanders, Ashton Jeanty, or Tet McMillan could generate excitement, fortifying the defensive front is a smart move. The Saints have struggled with early-round edge rusher selections in recent years (Marcus Davenport, Payton Turner, and Isiah Foskey), but Walker appears to be on a different level. With varied mock draft projections, the team’s direction remains uncertain, but given their widespread needs, they’re likely to select the best available player when they’re on the clock.
