2025 Saints Draft Class Continues to Impress

Nine draft picks in 2025. Can you guess how many are still around?

Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; The Indianapolis Colts logo is projected on the video board during the NFL Draft at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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In 2025, the New Orleans Saints had nine draft picks: one each in rounds one and two, two apiece in the third, fourth, and seventh, and one in the sixth, skipping the 5th. Every one of those choices are still on the team to this date. All nine of them. In fact, two of them were named to the All Rookie Team. It was the first time in six years multiple Saints were named to that squad.

1st Round: OT Kelvin Banks Jr, Texas

Sep 14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. (71) against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Playing over 1-thousand snaps in 2025, almost all of which were at the left tackle slot. Banks started all 17-games and was named to the Pro Football Writers of American All-Rookie team, one of .

2nd Round: QB Tyler Shough, Louisville

Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) rolls out against the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

After riding the bench while the Saints went 1-7, Shough was handed the starting role in game against the Rams, who made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game. The 26-year old rookie led the team to a 5-4 mark the rest of the way. Shough was named to the PFWA All-Rookie team.

3rd Round A: DT Vernon Broughton, Texas

May 10, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Vernon Broughton (91) during rookie minicamp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The huge lineman made his NFL debut against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2. It was short-lived, as Broughton suffered a season-ending hip injury, placing him on the IR for the rest of his rookie campaign.

3rd Round B: S Jonas Sanker, Virginia

Dec 21, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints safety Jonas Sanker (33) blocks the pass to New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (15) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Cavalier played in every game last year, taking over as the starter in Week 2 and staying their the rest of the season. Sanker had a half-dozen pass breakups, two interceptions and almost 80-tackles.

4th Round A: LB Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma

Dec 7, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) runs for a gain past New Orleans Saints linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Though used mainly as a third stringer and as one of the core special team players for the Saints, the Sooner played in every game for the Saints, piling up 40=tackles, 17 of those of the solo variety. He has played with the 2nd string thus far this training camp, but has moved into a starting role with an unknown injury to Pete Werner.

4th Round B: CB Quincy Riley, Louisville

Oct 12, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins (13) misses a pass under pressure from New Orleans Saints cornerback Quincy Riley (29) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Cardinal alum worked his way into an important role in 2025, playing in all 17-games, starting five. His ten pass breakups ranked him second on the team behind Kool-Aid McKinstry's 17.

6th Round: RB Devin Neal, Kansas

Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal (24) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Playing in ten games, starting three, the Jayhawk average almost four-yards a pop in 57-carries. A hamstring injury against the Panthers in December put him on the IR list for the rest of his rookie year.

7th Round A: TE Moliki Matavao, UCLA

Sep 14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Moliki Matavao (80) during warmups against the San Francisco 49ers at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Playing in six games last year, Matavao started the final two games of the season. He pulled in a pair of receptions for 10-yards. His huge frame, 6' 6", 260-pounds, and his basketball background make it tough to guard the Bruin grad.

7th Round B: DE Fadil Diggs, Syracuse

Jun 10, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Fadil Diggs (40) blocks tight end Treyton Welch (82) during punt drills during minicamp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Flip-flopping between the active roster and practice squad, Diggs appeared in five games across the 17-game schedule. This season, he is seeing 3rd and 2nd string work at Edge rusher.

Success with UDFAs Too

Even with the number of draft picks sticking around, the Saints were able to pluck a few college players from the ranks of the undrafted.

OT Easton Kitty, Kansas State

Saints offensive tackle Easton Kitty | Copyright: Stephen Lew, Credit: Stephen Lew - Imagn ImagesCreator: Stephen Lew

Spending most of 2025 on the Saints practice squad, Kitty did get called up once in Week 16. In training camp this year, he is working with the 3rd string, but gets reps with the 2nd string on occasion.

G/C Torricelli Simpkins, South Carolina

Dec 28, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Audric Estime (30) celebrates his touchdown against the Tennessee Titans with New Orleans Saints guard Torricelli Simpkins III (68) during the second half of the game at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Playing in 15-games, but starting in two, making a roster spot right out of preseason and working his way onto the field for 179-snaps. He is currently listed as the backup center to Erik McCoy.

Training Camp Schedule

Here's the practice schedule for the week:

- Wednesday, 9:00-10:15 a.m., Helmets (Closed)
- Thursday, 9:00-11:00 a.m., Pads (SOLD OUT)
- Friday, TBD, Walk-Thru (Closed)
- Saturday, Saints vs. Jaguars, 3:00 p.m., Superdome

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