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Saints Predicted To Lose Out On 23-Year-Old Superstar Thanks To Raiders

How will the drama unfold on draft night?
Jackson Roberts|
Oct 20, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders helmet on the turn at SoFi Stadium during pregame warmups before an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
Oct 20, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders helmet on the turn at SoFi Stadium during pregame warmups before an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

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New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints are in a world of uncertainty at the quarterback position.

After they learned last week that Derek Carr's status for the upcoming season is in jeopardy, the Saints could be targeting a QB with the ninth-overall pick in the NFL Draft. That's an awfully high pick to use, however, unless New Orleans is sure they've got the right guy.

Many seem to believe that Colorado's Shedeur Sanders could be that guy. Sanders, 23, is generally regarded as the second-best QB prospect in this draft class behind presumptive number-one pick Cam Ward, and there don't appear to be too many teams ahead of New Orleans that would be threats to pick him.

However, one NFL writer believes a team who just traded for a new starting quarterback will still swoop in and spoil the Saints' fun.

On Wednesday, Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon predicted that the Las Vegas Raiders would draft Sanders with the number-six overall pick, ruining any plans the Saints had of taking him to become their starter of the future.

"Formerly a frequent top-three pick in the mock draft realm, the Colorado product has seen his stock fall pretty broadly, but many view him as a target for the Saints at No. 9 overall now that Carr's status is cloudy," Gagnon wrote.

"This is a gut feeling from years of exposure to this team. I just don't think the Raiders will be able to pass him up in the No. 6 spot, regardless of Geno Smith."

If the Saints don't end up drafting a quarterback and Carr isn't ready to go, they'll likely start the season with either Jake Haener or Spencer Rattler under center. The two combined to go 0-7 in their starts in 2024.

That's a situation with tank written all over it, but if the Saints miss out on the two best QBs in a weak class, tanking might be the ideal solution.

More NFL: Saints Blockbuster Trade Idea Lands 1,359-Yard Playmaker To Pair With Alvin Kamara

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Jackson Roberts
JACKSON ROBERTS

Jackson Roberts is a former Division III All-Region DH who now writes and talks about sports for a living. A Bay Area native and a graduate of Swarthmore College and the Newhouse School at Syracuse University, Jackson makes his home in North Jersey. He grew up rooting for the Red Sox, Patriots, and Warriors, and he recently added the Devils to his sports fandom mosaic. For all business/marketing inquiries, please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

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