This week, NFL Draft prospect Kyren Lacy died of an apparent suicide; in a switch from previous seasons, Pro Bowl pass rusher Micah Parsons opted to attend Dallas’ voluntary offseason program this year; and Chicago just gave Kyler Gordon an extension that makes him the highest paid cornerback in the league. Some other Fantasy football related stories we’re following…

What Will the Saints Do in the Draft?

After showing some progress with a nine-win effort in 2023, the New Orleans Saints crashed to a 5-12 mark last year, the team’s worst showing since 2005. With the team now having missed the playoffs for four straight seasons, there’s plenty of work to be done in the Big Easy.

The good news is that the Saints have nine picks in the upcoming draft, including two third and two four rounders. This should allow them to address concerns across the roster, but specifically at cornerback, wide receiver and the offensive line.

While rumours suggest that the Saints could try to trade up from No. 9 to draft quarterback Shedeur Sanders (who we once wondered if he was ticketed to the Raiders) at No. 2, a more likely scenario is that they use the ninth pick to take the best available player at that slot, perhaps Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, who could be a key piece of the defense from day one.

However, with news that Derek Carr (shoulder) is a question mark for the 2025 season, perhaps New Orleans hopes Sanders falls to them here or it may pivot to Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart, currently listed at seventh on this mock draft Big Board.

In terms of offensive line help, one player that we know the Saints are high on is Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons, who they visited with on Monday.

While New Orleans clearly covets Sanders, a quarterback may not solve all its issues, and the fact that this kid’s upside is an open question makes us wonder if the team is better off trying to get more key pieces in place before sending a young QB into a tough situation.

Look for Giants to Build Superb Defensive Line

One team that needs a home run at the draft even more is the New York Giants. Since last making the playoffs in 2022 with a 9-7-1 mark, the G-Men slumped to 6-11 the following year and then plummeted to a mere three victories last year.

New York only has eight picks this year, but two of them are third rounders. The Giants need help at guard, defensive tackle and especially at QB. The additions of quarterbacks former Steeler Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston hasn’t exactly alleviated this requirement, sorry.

So, would it be completely shocking if the Giants use the No. 3 pick to nab Sanders. No (see video below). However, is this the smartest choice? Again, no. And for once, look for them to do the wise thing here and goes with the best player available instead.

Wouldn’t morphing an already good defensive line into a machine with Penn State OLB Abdul Carter give this team some real hope while they work to address the offense with other picks?

For what it’s worth, Carter has the second highest odds (+2000) to go first overall in the draft as per FanDuel, but assuming Cam Ward and Travis Hunter go one-two, Carter should be there when the Giants are on the clock.

The only other direction we can see New York going at No. 3 is to finally do something about the offensive line with Missouri OT Armand Membou. But the smart money is on Carter becoming the next Giant defensive stalwart.

RotoRob Tune of the Day

American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd got their start in 1964, remained active until 1977, reformed briefly in 1979 and then again in 1987, and have bit at it since. In 1989, they released a greatest hits package, Skynyrd’s Innyyrds, which includes the track “Workin’ for MCA,” a tune from the 1974 film Freebird… the Movie.