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NFL Writer Makes 'Insanely Bold' Saints NFL Draft Prediction

The Saints might not need to find their franchise quarterback this offseason.
Zach Pressnell|
Jan 1, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up before the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Jan 1, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up before the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

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New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints need to add a quarterback this offseason, especially if veteran signal caller Derek Carr is going to miss the entire campaign with a shoulder injury. A lot of people seem to expect the Saints to pursue Colorado's Shedeur Sanders in the first round of the NFL Draft.

But if the Saints aren't in love with Sanders, they would be better off waiting until next season to select a quarterback at the top of the draft.

NFL Spinzone's Lou Scataglia recently made quite a bold NFL Draft prediction for the Saints, and it doesn't have anything to do with the 2025 NFL Draft. Scataglia predicted the Saints would land the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and that they would use it on Texas quarterback Arch Manning.

"Arch Manning goes first overall to the New Orleans Saints in this mock draft," Scataglia wrote. "His uncles are obviously Peyton and Eli Manning, so this is yet another Manning who figures to make it in the NFL as a quarterback. The Saints are a total disaster and should embrace a 'tanking' year if we are being honest."

While this might seem like a very bold prediction, it's not as insane as it seems.

The Saints could fall into the trap of selecting Sanders just because they need a quarterback instead of because they truly believe in his potential and abilities. This is how teams end up with situations like the Pittsburgh Steelers had with Kenny Pickett.

The idea of waiting and drafting Manning completely revolves around the Saints front office's belief in Sanders. If they're 100 percent certain that he's their guy, there's no reason at all to wait. If New Orleans has doubts, drafting somebody like Tetairoa McMillan at No. 9 and waiting on Manning in 2026 would make sense.

More NFL: Saints Predicted To Make Emergency Draft Day Trade For Shedeur Sanders

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Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network among others. For all business/marketing inquiries, reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

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