With the 2025 NFL Draft just a week away, Rotowire’s Joe Bartel has projected a major trade between the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints in his latest mock draft.
Although no trades have occurred yet, the first round is typically full of movement, and that’s expected to change once the draft begins. Bartel predicts that the Saints will send the 9th and 131st overall picks to the Colts in exchange for the 14th and 80th selections.
According to his projections, the Colts will use their first-round pick to draft tight end Tyler Warren, while the Saints target a potential franchise quarterback in Jaxson Dart.
Saints, Colts Agree to Massive Trade In Latest Mock Draft
On paper, this trade benefits both teams. The Indianapolis Colts are still unsure about former first-rounder Anthony Richardson, but they’re giving him another year to prove he can be the starting quarterback. If he falters again, Daniel Jones is in place to serve as a stopgap. With quarterback likely not being addressed in this draft, the Colts could focus on selecting the top tight end available.
Tyler Warren from Penn State stands out as one of the most intriguing prospects in recent memory. An exceptional athlete, Warren can contribute as a traditional tight end, line up in the slot, and even take snaps in the Wildcat—he embodies what Sean Payton once envisioned for Taysom Hill.
Although he leans heavily on his athleticism and still needs to polish his route running, his natural talent is undeniable and he’s expected to make an immediate difference.
If Richardson can’t thrive with weapons like Warren, along with receivers Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, and Josh Downs, the Colts will likely be in the market for a new quarterback in 2026.
Finding A Franchise Quarterback
The situation with Derek Carr keeps getting more complicated, and it seems likely that a split between him and the team is on the horizon. Even if Carr remains the starter in 2025, it’s doubtful he’ll still be around in 2026.
While he’s a capable veteran, he no longer has the impact to carry a flawed roster into the postseason. Acknowledging their need for a true franchise quarterback, the Saints trade down with the Colts in this mock draft, gaining extra picks while still securing a talented rookie.
Jaxson Dart had impressive stats at Ole Miss, but much of that success came from a quarterback-friendly system that made life easy for him—often allowing him to hit wide-open first reads.
That leaves some uncertainty about how he’ll handle tougher, less favorable situations in the NFL. Still, his athleticism and physical tools make him a worthwhile gamble in the middle of the first round.
The key issue is whether New Orleans is willing to risk missing out on their top quarterback target. When they held the ninth pick, Shedeur Sanders was still available, but he was taken by the 14th pick.
If Dart is the quarterback they’re highest on, the trade makes sense. But if they believe Sanders has more long-term upside, they may not want to take the chance of losing him to another team.
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