How Signing Derek Carr Affects Saints Draft Strategy

New Orleans has their quarterback for the immediate future. Here's how signing Derek Carr will affect their strategy in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The New Orleans Saints have not drafted a quarterback in the first round of the draft since selecting Archie Manning in 1971. Manning is the only quarterback that the Saints have drafted in the first round in their 56-year history. In fact, Manning and Garrett Grayson (3rd round in 2015) are the only quarterbacks that New Orleans has drafted in the first THREE rounds of the draft in 56 years.

You can make that 57 years.

The Saints signed free-agent QB Derek Carr to a four-year deal on Monday worth a reported $150 million with $100 million guaranteed. Folks, this is who New Orleans identified as their immediate future at the position. It's that simple. 

Carr's arrival only slightly changes the team’s draft strategy, all but guaranteeing that they won't target a quarterback with an early round draft choice. New Orleans is in possession of the 29th overall pick in the first round and Number 40 overall with their second round choice.

The Saints were unlikely out of range to move up for the draft's top two QB prospects, Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud. It would have also taken a significant cost to move up for Will Levis or Anthony Richardson. 

Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker is a first-round talent who should be available late on Day 1 or even in the second round. With Carr's signing, Hooker almost definitely won't be drafted by the Saints in that range. If he slips to the third round, where New Orleans holds the 71st overall pick, that could be a possibility. Even then, it seems more likely that they'll use their draft picks for other needs.

Derek Carr, who turns 32 on March 28, signed with the Saints for more than just money. He professed his desire to play for a contender when he was granted his release from the Raiders. The Saints were one of three teams that included the Carolina Panthers and a reported hard push from the New York Jets. 

Carr showed faith in the Saints ability to contend by signing. The Saints simply wouldn't sign Carr to a multi-year deal if they didn't believe that he was capable of leading a contending team. 

New Orleans is coming off a 7-10 season and have missed the playoffs for two straight years. They have plenty of talent, but they also have a long list of needs.

• Bigger, physical receiver to go along with Chris Olave/Rashid Shaheed (if Michael Thomas is released)

• Running Back (perhaps two, given the pending suspension of Alvin Kamara)

• Defensive Tackle 

• Safety depth 

• Linebacker depth 

• Interior offensive line depth 

Sep 21, 2020; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) scrambles away from New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata (93). Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY

The Saints may be able to take care of some of those needs in free agency. However, they still have to juggle some finances just to get below the 2023 salary cap. Expect New Orleans to target most of these needs through the draft, with only select spending in free agency. 

New Orleans could select a developmental quarterback in the later rounds and should definitely pounce if a talent like Hooker slips into Day 3. They just won't do it with a first or second round draft choice for the 52nd consecutive year. 

The Saints grabbed their quarterback of the immediate future in Derek Carr. Now they'll use their early draft picks to surround that quarterback with the pieces to hopefully return to contender status.