The 2025 NFL Draft is upon us this week and the New Orleans Saints under new head coach Kellen Moore attempts to.move on from the debacle of the Dennis Allen era and perhaps the post-Derek Carr era as well.

NFL Draft Guru, College Football expert, and WWL 870 AM sports talk host Mike Detillier addresses the most pressing matters for the Black and Gold as the franchise tries to rebuild in the midst of salary cap challenges and aging veterans.

 

1) Does the Derek Carr injury announcement change the team’s First Round posture in the 2025 NFL Draft or are they going to bide their time on the quarterback question?

Detillier: It does have an effect in your thought process some, but it should not change your approach to selecting players early.

You have spent hundreds of thousands to a million dollars or so on scouting reports and manpower.

You cannot pick a player at #9 that you have rated 22nd because of a need. That would make no sense and are defeating the purpose.

Stick to your board in the early rounds and to.be honest the Saints have needs all across the board today.

 

2) Beyond quarterback what is the Saints’ biggest need on the roster?

Detillier: How long you got?  (chuckle)

A big man receiver at tight end or wide receiver, help at both guard and tackle along the offensive line, cornerback, defensive end, safety, depth at halfback and at linebacker. And certainly at quarterback.

The team has far more needs than draft picks to address their deficiencies.

 

3) Which player in the first round do you think can help the Black and Gold longterm if not in the immediate period?

Detillier: Well, the thing is, who is available at 9?

LSU OT Will Campbell along with a guy like Boise State halfback Ashton Jeanty, they would help immediately, but most likely they will not be there.

I feel the same about Michigan DT. Mason Graham and Georgia LB/edge rusher Jalon Walker.

I’m a real big fan of TE Tyler Warren from Penn State, Tyler is a big target, smart in finding that crease downfield and he is tough to knock off his pegs. OT Armond Membou from Missouri is a stud player at right tackle and Mykel Williams, the defensive end from Georgia. Williams was hurt some last year at Georgia and continued to play. Outstanding pressure player and he plays against the run tough.

Now on a trade back one guy I really like is Michigan’s other defensive tackle Kenneth Grant. He’s a big space eater inside and he’s a force versus the run. The last couple of years the Saints have not stopped the run well.

 

4) Do you think the Saints’ heavy investment in offensive line picks in the early rounds have produced a good return?

Detillier: No. It’s why you still need help there. Taliese Fuaga can play and he’s very good along with Eric McCoy at center.

Two really good players.

Cesar Ruiz is an above average starter.

But Trevor Penning has not lived up to his early round selection and Nick Saldiveri is always hurt.

The answer is a big NO.

5)  Will new head coach Kellen Moore have the necessary say to build the team in the draft or will General Manager Mickey Loomis ultimately be the one calling the shots regarding the draft?

Detillier: All head coaches have say, and some a lot of say.

With the Saints they rely on college talent a lot on their Director of College personnel guy Jeff Ireland.

There’s always dispute on players; that’s the norm but in the end it’s the final decision by Mickey Loomis.

But yes, Kellen Moore will have some say on draft choices. Collaborate decision on draft choices but this team leans heavily on Jeff Ireland for college talent.

 

6.) What are your thoughts on recent 1st round selections in Bryan Bresee and Taliese Fuaga? You liked those guys when they were selected and thought they reached on Marcus Davenport and a big reach on Payton Turner. 

Detillier: Bresee has been “ as advertised” from what I saw in college. Big man athlete who can move and he’s disruptive inside as a pass rusher and tackling guys for losses. His weakness was his build. He’s so high-cut as a defensive tackle. He’s got to learn how to play lower, not let guys get under his pads and use his good leverage skills better. I was no fan of the former defensive line coach, but I know Bo Davis will work on that with him. Bo is a damn good coach.

I am surprised to an extent on how well and how consistent Fuaga was last year and moving from right to left tackle.

He’s a power guy with excellent foot work and hand placement skills. A really good athlete for a big man.

Nothing is perfect, but he was impressive to me in his first season at left tackle. And he has a lot of want to as a player too.

 

7)  Which has been the biggest handicap on the team: the lack of talent on the roster or inadequate coaching on the field?

Detillier: I think it’s a little of both.

Injuries did play a factor last season, but you have to prepare in the offseason for “ what happens if” moments.

The Mount Everest drop off due to injuries.

As a coach you are only as good as the talent around you. The Saints brass think much more highly of their talent as I do and most of the league thinks too. Kellen Moore will succeed if you surround him with good talent and depth. I like what he’s pieced together as a staff. That looks solid. It’s about filling the talent holes and depth issues on this team.

The other thing I talk about a lot, but it’s rarely brought up, is about developing young talent.

That has not been here the last three years- that’s about coaching .

 

8.) Last question on Ryan Ramczyk. I remember on draft night on WWL Radio Bobby Hebert wanted them to pick a pass rusher but you were adamant about Ramczyk. What are your thoughts on his career?

Detillier: He had everything you wanted in a player but long term durability.

Ryan was such a quiet guy and a warrior on the field, but the knee couldn’t hold up. Great pass protector and a physical , tough and very effective run blocker. Great teammate. One of, if not the best right tackles in pro football when he was healthy.

In my draft book when I did it – he was in the top 100 of players 6 years in a row and that was done by scouts, coaches, former coaches and talent evaluators throughout the country.

We had something special at the tackle spots for a run with Ramczyk and Terron Armstead and both recently retired.

All this horse hockey stupid comment about “next man up” is just that in replacing guys like Ryan and Armstead. It’s impossible to simply replace that level.of talent.