Skip to main content
Join Now

2025 NFL Draft: Deion Sanders reacts to Derek Carr injury, Saints' plans with No. 9 pick

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz04/11/25NickSchultz_7
Shedeur Sanders Deion Sanders
Shedeur Sanders and Deion Sanders (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

When news broke of Derek Carr’s shoulder injury, which could keep him out for the 2025 season, attention immediately turned to the New Orleans Saints’ draft plans. The franchise currently sits at No. 9 overall and a quarterback was already rumored to be in the mix before Carr’s injury.

One option could be Shedeur Sanders if he falls out of the Top 3 picks. ESPN’s Louis Riddick pointed out how much more interesting the Saints’ decision will be, and it led to a reaction from Sanders’ father, Deion.

Coach Prime shared an eye emoji in response to Riddick’s post, which said the Saints’ decision with the pick will be “all kinds of interesting” when the 2025 NFL Draft gets underway. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. projected Shedeur Sanders to go at that spot even before Carr’s injury, and that could be even more of a possibility now. It seems like Deion Sanders thinks so, as well.

Carr’s status is “in doubt” for 2025, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported. He is dealing with a shoulder injury and is weighing options, including surgery, although it’s unclear when the injury occurred. Carr missed the end of the 2024 season due to a hand injury.

News of Carr’s injury comes less than two weeks until the 2025 NFL Draft. The Saints have Spencer Rattler on the roster, but also have the No. 9 overall pick and there was a sense they could select a quarterback to develop. Shedeur Sanders’ name is one that has come up in connection with New Orleans, as has former Ole Miss standout Jaxson Dart.

That selection gets even more interesting if Carr winds up having to miss this coming season. He recently restructured his contract to free up salary cap space and is in line to be the starter under new coach Kellen Moore if he can play.

In his final mock draft even before news broke of Derek Carr’s injury, Kiper projected the Saints to select Sanders with that selection. That would have presented a situation where Carr could help develop the young quarterback, who led FBS in completion percentage in 2024.

However, ESPN’s Matt Miller recently cited a rumor he’d dig farther into ahead of the draft. There was some chatter about whether Dart could jump into the Top 10 and potentially be an option at No. 9. Dart has been one of the biggest risers during the pre-draft process following a strong showing at the Senior Bowl.