A bold Saints prediction selects a popular quarterback to replace Derek Carr.

Below is an in‑depth exploration of the bold prediction projecting Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders to replace Derek Carr as the New Orleans Saints’ starting quarterback. It examines Carr’s contractual and on‑field situation, the Saints’ quarterback landscape, the analytical model driving the prediction, Sanders’s profile and draft slide, potential benefits and risks of such a move, and the broader implications for New Orleans.

Summary of Key Findings:
Cynthia Frelund’s analytical model forecasts that the Saints will use their No. 9 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders, effectively moving on from Derek Carr after just one season under a lucrative contract . Carr’s four‑year, $150 million deal carries a $51 million cap hit in 2025, creating significant financial pressure that could prompt New Orleans to cut ties . Sanders, a 23‑year‑old phenom known for elite accuracy, playmaking under pressure, and toughness metrics, would represent a cost‑controlled, high‑upside solution at quarterback . Despite projections as a top‑three pick, Sanders unexpectedly slid to the fifth round at No. 144, raising concerns about his interviews and conduct that may have deterred teams . Acquiring Sanders at No. 9 would allow New Orleans to reset the QB position, capitalize on a rookie‑scale contract, and infuse the roster with a dynamic playmaker who could flourish under a stable coaching regime.

Derek Carr’s Contractual and On‑Field Situation

The Saints signed Derek Carr to a four‑year, $150 million contract during the 2024 offseason, banking on his veteran leadership and past Pro Bowl pedigree .
However, Carr’s deal includes a potential out and features a cap hit north of $51 million for the 2025 league year and $61 million in 2026, putting a substantial strain on New Orleans’s salary cap flexibility .
On the field in 2024, Carr appeared in only 10 games due to a shoulder injury, posting flashes of efficiency but lacking the consistency required to justify such a steep financial commitment .
With the Saints facing significant cap questions—coupled with uncertainty at offensive coordinator and head coach positions—the organization may view Carr as expendable if a high‑value alternative presents itself .

The Saints’ Quarterback Landscape

Beyond Carr, New Orleans has invested in youthful options. In the 2025 draft, the team shocked many by selecting 26‑year‑old Tyler Shough in the second round at No. 40 overall, touting his pro‑ready traits but recognizing he still requires developmental polish .
Additionally, Spencer Rattler, a fifth‑round pick in 2024, showed glimpses of promise when thrust into action, but remains unproven as a franchise solution .
The Saints also retain financial flexibility to chase veteran free agents; Canal Street Chronicles even suggested bringing in Carson Wentz for mentorship, underlining New Orleans’s openness to alternative QB configurations @.
Still, the public narrative has centered on finding a long‑term answer under center, with Shough, Rattler, and Carr forming a trio lacking a definitive leader .

The Bold Prediction: Cynthia Frelund’s Model

On February 7, 2025, NFL analyst Cynthia Frelund released her first 2025 mock draft, projecting that the Saints would select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the No. 9 overall pick—regardless of who occupies the head coach’s office .
Frelund’s proprietary model emphasizes metrics such as accuracy under duress and playmaking on pressured downs; Sanders ranks near the top in these categories over a 10‑season sample, underscoring his projected NFL readiness and toughness .
By drafting Sanders instead of extending Carr or retaining him through 2026, New Orleans would not only offload Carr’s looming cap hit but also secure a high‑value talent on a rookie contract that provides cost certainty and upside .

Shedeur Sanders: Prospect Profile and Draft Slide

Shedeur Sanders, son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, transferred to Colorado in 2023 after stellar seasons at Jackson State, where he earned the 2021 Jerry Rice Award and 2022 Deacon Jones Trophy .
In his 2024 Colorado campaign, Sanders completed 74.0 percent of passes for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, and posted a 168.2 passer rating—leading the Buffaloes to a 9–4 record and a second‑team AP All‑American nod .
Scouting services praise his deep‑ball accuracy, poise in the pocket, and ability to extend plays with mobility, though they note the need to refine decision‑making under heavy blitz packages .
Despite a projected first‑round grade, Sanders tumbled to the fifth round at pick No. 144—reports attribute the slide to subpar pre‑draft interviews and concerns over skipping some media obligations, raising professionalism questions among league personnel .

Rationale for the Saints

Cap Relief & Financial Prudence: Drafting Sanders at No. 9 would reset the QB position onto a rookie scale contract, immediately freeing up roughly $51 million in cap space that Carr would have occupied in 2025 .
Analytical Fit: Sanders’s high marks in Frelund’s pressure‑adjusted accuracy metric align with the Saints’ need for a quarterback who can thrive despite a rebuilding offensive line and inconsistent pass protection .
Upside & Marketability: As “Prime’s” son, Sanders carries inherent star power that can energize the fan base, boost merchandise sales, and attract national attention to a franchise in transition .
Developmental Timeline: At 23 years old—older than typical rookie QBs—Sanders may need less seasoning, potentially competing for the starting role as soon as Year 1 and shortening the rebuild timeline .

Potential Risks and Challenges

Off‑Field Concerns: Reports of unorthodox behavior during draft week and less‑than‑ideal interview performances suggest Sanders may require cultural acclimation and mentoring in an NFL setting .
Size & Durability: At 6’1″ and 212 lbs, Sanders lacks prototypical QB size, which could expose him to increased sack and injury risk behind a questionable Saints offensive line .
Coaching Stability: New Orleans’s head coach and scheme under Kellen Moore (assuming retention) will play a pivotal role; developing a rookie QB requires consistent coaching that the Saints have yet to firmly establish .
Fan Expectations: Drafting Sanders would raise expectations dramatically; if the offense stagnates or Sanders struggles, the backlash could hinder his confidence and the team’s cohesion .

Alternative Quarterback Paths

While Sanders represents a high‑variance, high‑reward scenario, the Saints could also explore:

• Extending Carr’s Contract: Renegotiating to lower Carr’s cap hit and retain a proven veteran, albeit at the risk of stagnating with a mid‑tier starter .
• Signing a Bridge Veteran: Pursuing a free agent like Carson Wentz to mentor Shough and Sanders on a short‑term deal, providing insurance as younger QBs develop .
• Waiting on Development: Letting Shough and Rattler duke it out in training camp, deferring a first‑round QB until the 2026 class, but potentially prolonging quarterback uncertainty .

Broader Implications for the Franchise

Roster Building: The cap savings from moving on from Carr could be reinvested into the offensive line and skill positions, addressing key weaknesses that hampered the 2024 season .
Identity Shift: Embracing Sanders would signal a commitment to an analytics‑driven, high‑upside approach, aligning with modern NFL trends toward younger, dynamic quarterbacks .
Fan Engagement: The intrigue surrounding Deion Sanders’s son landing in “Prime Time” New Orleans carries storylines that could reignite local and national media interest, potentially boosting ticket and merchandise revenue .
Long‑Term Outlook: If Sanders meets or exceeds expectations, the Saints could stabilize the QB position for the next decade; if not, the rookie contract provides minimal sunk cost and flexibility to pivot again .

Conclusion
Cynthia Frelund’s bold projection to draft Shedeur Sanders at No. 9 captures both the opportunity and urgency facing the New Orleans Saints at quarterback. With Derek Carr’s contract weighing heavily against cap health and on‑field consistency still elusive, targeting a young phenom who excels in pressure situations offers a compelling reset button. While risks surrounding his professionalism, size, and the team’s coaching stability remain, the potential rewards—financial prudence, analytical alignment, and marketability—render this scenario a football and business proposition worth serious consideration as the 2025 offseason unfolds.