Saints Reportedly 'Laser-Focused' on Drafting a QB Even Before Derek Carr's Injury

The uncertain health status of veteran quarterback Derek Carr is reportedly not impacting the plans the New Orleans Saints have long had for the 2025 NFL draft.

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Saints are "on a mission" and "laser-focused" on getting a quarterback in the draft and reportedly have been throughout the season.

Last week, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport (h/t NFL.com's Nick Shook) reported Carr is dealing with a shoulder injury that could threaten his availability for the 2025 season.

That makes quarterback an even greater need, but based on Russini's reporting, the position was already a top priority for the Saints before concerns arose regarding Carr.

New Orleans owns the No. 9 overall pick in the first round of next week's draft, which could put it in position to select the second quarterback of the draft.

While there is a ton of momentum behind the idea of Miami quarterback Cam Ward going first overall to the Tennessee Titans, things are a bit less certain when it comes to Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Ole Miss signal-caller Jaxson Dart.

Although there are quarterback-needy teams such as the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and New York Jets positioned ahead of them in the first round of the draft, neither Sanders nor Dart are viewed as slam dunk, top-10 picks in the same way Ward is, which suggests they could both be available to the Saints at No. 9.

New Orleans also has the No. 40 overall pick in the second round and the Nos. 71 and 93 overall picks in the third round, so waiting until Day 2 to take a quarterback is also an option.

Dart could slip to the second round, or the Saints may consider a prospect such as Alabama's Jalen Milroe or Louisville's Tyler Shough.

On the B/R NFL Scouting Department's latest big board for the 2025 NFL draft, Sanders is ranked as the No. 23 overall player in the draft, while Dart is No. 57, Milroe is No. 77 and Shough is No. 116.

In the Scouting Department's new, three-round mock draft, the Saints are projected to trade up from No. 9 to No. 6 to secure Sanders.

It was already fair to wonder if Carr could be the answer at quarterback in New Orleans in terms of getting the Saints to the playoffs consistently and contending for Super Bowls.

He has posted a fairly pedestrian 14-13 record over his two seasons in New Orleans, and he missed seven games due to injury last season.

With the Saints bringing in an offensive guru and former quarterback in Kellen Moore as head coach, it always seemed likely that landing a quarterback of the future would be of great importance to them this offseason.