The NFL Draft is always a high-stakes chess match, with teams maneuvering for position to secure their franchise-changing players. But the 2025 draft cycle took an unexpected turn when New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr suffered a significant injury, throwing the team’s immediate future into uncertainty. However, what initially seemed like a devastating blow may have inadvertently given the Saints unprecedented leverage in a draft class that’s shaping up to be one of the most chaotic in recent memory.
With Carr’s status in doubt, the Saints now find themselves in a unique position—holding the keys to a quarterback-desperate market, controlling the draft’s narrative, and potentially reshaping their franchise’s trajectory in a single offseason.
The Injury That Changed Everything
Derek Carr, who had been a steady presence for the Saints since arriving in 2023, went down with a shoulder injury in Week 12 of the 2024 season. Initial reports suggested a multi-month recovery, putting his availability for the start of the 2025 season in jeopardy.
While the Saints still have veteran Jameis Winston and developmental backup Jake Haener on the roster, neither is viewed as a long-term answer. This leaves New Orleans with a critical decision:
- Do they ride with what they have and hope Carr returns to form?
- Do they aggressively pursue a rookie QB in the 2025 draft?
- Do they leverage their draft capital to trade down and accumulate future assets?
Given the Saints’ cap-strapped financial situation and lack of a true franchise quarterback, this injury may force their hand—but in a way that gives them massive control over the draft’s chaos.
Why the 2025 NFL Draft is Unusually Volatile
The 2025 draft class is loaded with quarterback talent, but the order in which they’ll be selected remains highly unpredictable. Several factors contribute to this:
1. Multiple Teams Desperate for a QB
Teams like the Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, and Atlanta Falcons could all be in the market for a new signal-caller. If the Saints decide to move up (or down) in the draft, they could trigger a domino effect.
2. No Clear No. 1 QB (Yet)
Unlike 2024’s Caleb Williams-dominated draft, 2025 doesn’t have a consensus top QB. Carson Beck (Georgia), Quinn Ewers (Texas), Shedeur Sanders (Colorado), and Drew Allar (Penn State) are all in the mix, but no single prospect has separated himself. This means teams may be more willing to trade up for “their guy.”
3. The Saints’ Draft Position is a Wild Card
New Orleans’ 2024 season was a mix of highs and lows, leaving them with a mid-first-round pick (somewhere between 10-20). But if they decide to trade up for a QB or trade down to accumulate picks, they become the ultimate swing team in the draft.
How the Saints Can Exploit the Chaos
With Carr’s injury creating uncertainty, the Saints now have three realistic paths—each with major implications for the 2025 draft:
Option 1: Trade Up for a Franchise QB
If the Saints believe one of the 2025 QB prospects is a can’t-miss talent, they could package their first-rounder with future picks to move into the top five. Teams like the Chicago Bears or Arizona Cardinals (who may not need QBs) could be willing trade partners.
Why this makes sense:
- Secures a young, cost-controlled QB for the future.
- Allows them to move on from Carr’s contract after 2025 if needed.
Risks:
- Giving up future assets is dangerous for a cap-strapped team.
- If the QB busts, it sets the franchise back years.
Option 2: Stay Put and Draft Best Available
If the Saints believe Carr can return to form, they may opt to select the best non-QB available (OL, WR, or defensive playmaker) and roll with Carr/Winston in 2025.
Why this makes sense:
- Avoids reaching for a QB just because of need.
- Strengthens the roster for a potential playoff push.
Risks:
- If Carr struggles post-injury, they’re stuck in QB purgatory.
- Missing out on a potential franchise-changer at QB.
Option 3: Trade Down and Stockpile Picks
Given the QB frenzy, a team like the Raiders or Vikings could be desperate to move up. If the Saints are outside the top 10, they could auction their pick to the highest bidder.
Why this makes sense:
- Adds much-needed draft capital for a team with limited resources.
- Allows them to address multiple holes (OL, defense, WR).
Risks:
- Passing on a potential star QB.
- If Carr doesn’t bounce back, they’re back to square one in 2026.
The Ideal Scenario for New Orleans
The Saints’ best move might be a hybrid approach:
- Evaluate Carr’s recovery progress in early 2025. If he looks like a long-term risk, pivot aggressively.
- If a QB they love falls into range (top 7-10), trade up without mortgaging the future.
- If no QB is worth it, trade down and load up on 2026 picks while building around Carr for one more year.
This keeps them flexible while maximizing their draft influence.
Conclusion: The Saints Hold the Power
Derek Carr’s injury initially looked like a disaster, but it may have given the Saints the ultimate bargaining chip in a draft filled with QB-needy teams. Whether they choose to move up, stay put, or trade down, their decision will send shockwaves through the first round.