Three NFL Draft sleepers for Saints
03/31/2025
By Ross Jackson
First-round picks in the NFL Draft are exciting, and for good reason. They present a chance for change or sustained success for organizations and hope for the younger generation of player leadership. However, the NFL Draft is seven rounds long and some would argue that landing quality players late is just as important as the one (or sometimes multiple) a team takes in the first round.
This year’s rookie class has been classified quite a bit as being a weaker draft, mostly because of its lack of an anticipated superstar quarterback group. However, there is an impressive crop of talent to be excited about in this year’s selection process. Even those that could end up on the board late in day three.
For the New Orleans Saints, it feels like the team has to get as many quality players out of this year’s class as possible. So a deep pool of player talent is helpful. Here are three sleeper candidates that could be found late in this year’s draft and could have an impact during their rookie contract if they develop well.
Missouri EDGE Johnny Walker Jr.
Walker may not have the same hype as some of the other edge rushers in this year’s class, but he has a chance to develop into a late-round steal. Despite his less-than-flattering RAS composite of just 4.70, Walker’s speed and athleticism do show up on tape. He’s a stand up edge rusher with good size and twitch. His long arms allow him to set up offensive linemen on his way to bending around the edge to get into the backfield.
At 6-foot-2, 249-pounds, he’s a little shorter than some NFL teams might like for that two-point stance edge rusher. But if he gets a chance to develop his traits, he could be a day three diamond in the rough at a premiere position
Missouri EDGE Johnny Walker Jr isn’t getting a ton of buzz right now, but I like the tools he has. Uses his 33-inch arms with power in this rep where the T tries to pull him down, but he keeps his balance and runs the arc for the strip-sack pic.twitter.com/7SYdMRsgwN
— Daniel Harms (@InHarmsWay19) March 26, 2025
2024 Stats
- 44 combined tackles
- 13 tackles for a loss
- 9.5 sacks
- 1 pass defended
- 3 fumbles forced
- 1 fumble recovered
Florida WR Elijhah Badger
An explosive yards-after-catch threat with return capabilities could be right up the Saints’ alley in addition to a big-bodied wideout. New Orleans hasn’t been a big yards after catch team in recent years. The big play attacks have all come from big shots downfield rather than nifty work with the ball in a receiver’s hand. Badger could be a late-round add, even after selecting a more physical, box-out type earlier in the draft.
Badger’s 9.30 RAS screams New Orleans Saints. He has 4.43 speed and good vision while touting the rock. At 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, he doesn’t lack in the build department either. His 68.8% contested catch rate on 16 contested opportunities speaks to that as well.
He has a reliable set of hands with his 0% drop rate in 2024 on 61 targets last season. He only has eight career drops over his four years with the Gators and Arizona State Sun Devils.
Still baffles me that WR Elijhah Badger didn’t get a Shrine/Senior Bowl invite.
A versatile do-it-all YAC monster at #ASU, to a big-play deep threat with Florida.
He isn’t getting much attention, but I love watching this guy play. I’ll be higher on him then most. #NFLDraft2025 pic.twitter.com/VkkBovYaBm
— Cory P. (@FF_Guitarist) February 8, 2025
2024 Stats
- 39 receptions
- 806 receiving yards
- 4 receiving touchdowns
Syracuse TE Oronde Gadsden II
Gadsden is one of this year’s all-around tight ends. He is a reliable blocker, but an even better pass-catcher. His 60.7% contested catch percentage and 3.9% drop percentage highlight how reliable he has been in the passing game. He also has NFL pedigree, carrying on his dad’s name. The elder Gadsden was a human highlight reel for the Miami Dolphins.
He has promising speed for the position clocking in at 4.65 seconds. His 7.96 RAS is just below the “Great” threshold. He performs well out of the slot as a receiver and blocker and is a converted wide receiver.
If he gets a little bit more violent as a blocker, he should transition fully to tight end well. If not, he could be a big slot wide receiver option at the next level. Both of which would have a place in the New Orleans offense during his rookie contract.
Oronde Gadsden II so far this season:
🍊12 receptions
🍊188 yards
🍊3 touchdowns#GoCuse | #RatedProspect
pic.twitter.com/0viFQepfYF— The Draft Network (@TheDraftNetwork) September 7, 2024
2024 Stats
- 73 receptions
- 934 receiving yards
- 7 receiving touchdowns