Saints Eyed as Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart Landing Spot by NFL Fans After Carr Injury

Derek Carr's injury status could reshape the New Orleans' Saints approach to the 2025 NFL draft.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Friday that Carr has a shoulder injury that could necessitate surgery and which "threatens his availability for this season."

Some NFL fans see the news as an indication the Saints should draft either Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders or Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart.

The Saints currently hold nine picks, including the No. 9 selection, in the upcoming draft.

Sanders is listed as the No. 23 overall prospect, while Dart is ranked No. 57, on Bleacher Report's latest 2025 NFL Draft Big Board.

The two signal callers are respectively ranked as the No. 2 and No. 3 quarterbacks available in the upcoming draft.

Top-ranked quarterback prospect Cam Ward is currently expected to go earlier in the draft, potentially to the Tennessee Titans with the No. 1 pick.

The New York Giants (No. 3 pick) are less of a threat to take a quarterback after signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. Multiple other teams with top-eight draft picks, including the New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders, have already established starters ahead of the 2025 season.

The Cleveland Browns are drafting at No. 2 without having settled on a first-string quarterback to replace Deshaun Watson, but did just sign Joe Flacco to a contract on Friday.

The Saints could potentially look at trading up in the draft if the franchise decides to guarantee themselves a shot at Sanders.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, when recently asked about the possibility of the Saints drafting his son, answered: "I like the colors. I like the city, I like the food, I like the people, I like the possibilities."

The Saints also hold the No. 40 and No. 71 picks in the second and third rounds of the upcoming draft. Outside of Sanders and Dart, the franchise could alternatively decide to target projected Day 2 prospects like Ohio State's Will Howard, Alabama's Jalen Milroe and Texas' Quinn Ewers later this month.