Derek Carr's injury news may alter what the Saints do in the NFL Draft, and the 49ers better pay close attention.
The New Orleans Saints are one of the bigger wild cards over the first few picks of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Currently, NOLA is slated to pick at No. 9 overall. Armed with plenty of roster needs and on the brink of an all-out rebuild, New Orleans could go in one of several directions with its top pick.
However, a situation with veteran quarterback Derek Carr might have forced the Saints into a corner.
As reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Carr is dealing with a shoulder injury that could put his 2025 campaign in serious jeopardy:
Derek Carr's 2024 season ended prematurely with a fractured non-throwing hand. Now, a shoulder injury has put his availability for 2025 in doubt. https://t.co/pxfTTJH0KL
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 11, 2025
Granted, Carr likely isn't seen as New Orleans' long-term option under center. But, considering the general weakness of this year's quarterbacking draft class, it would have made sense for NOLA to at least view the 34 year old as a bridge to whoever is next.
That might no longer be an option.
49ers must pay attention to Derek Carr injury situation
The San Francisco 49ers are slated to pick two selections after the Saints, No. 11 overall.
Not in need of a quarterback, thanks to the presence of Brock Purdy, the Niners certainly wouldn't mind an early run on quarterbacks before their number is called. Prospects like Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart are already getting plenty of attention. But, with the Saints now possibly in the mix for Carr's immediate replacement, there's room for even more bidding wars and aggressive quarterbacking moves over the top 10 picks.
And it also potentially means NOLA won't be eyeing a blue-chip non-quarterback prospect at No. 9, thereby pushing one more player down into San Francisco's collective lap.
Related story: 49ers want nothing more than Shedeur Sanders to slide in NFL Draft
It's definitely a good possibility.
New Orleans getting in on the quarterback action could lead to the 49ers having a shot at drafting a true blue-chip prospect, perhaps someone like Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, but without having to trade up to get inside the top eight before the Saints were to select.
Granted, the draft can pan out in countless different ways, but it's more than clear the Niners would be perfectly happy if the Saints are now eyeballing a quarterback after the latest news on Carr.
Read more from Niner Noise
manual