Opportunity Knocks: How Derek Carr’s Injury Paves the Way for the Saints to Draft Shedeur Sanders at No. 9

Derek Carr, the quarterback for the Saints, is facing a shoulder injury, which opens up exciting possibilities for the upcoming NFL draft. With the ninth overall pick, the Saints could set their sights on Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

ESPN analyst Louis Riddick hinted at this on Twitter, remarking, “That 9th pick gonna be all kinds of interesting.” His comments caught attention, especially since they were retweeted by Deion Sanders, Shedeur’s father, adding to the buzz.

This situation becomes even more intriguing due to the Carolina Panthers, who hold the eighth pick. They’re within striking distance of grabbing Sanders. Remember, in 2017, the Kansas City Chiefs moved up in the draft to select Patrick Mahomes right before the Saints. This past could repeat itself, prompting the Saints to consider moving up to secure Sanders.

In fact, they might reach out to teams holding the sixth (Raiders) or seventh (Jets) picks. The stakes are high, and there’s a real possibility that multiple teams will jockey for a chance to draft Sanders.

Recent stats reveal that around 60% of teams that trade up in the draft end up successfully selecting their target player, according to a report by ESPN. This means the Saints face both challenge and opportunity as they weigh their options.

The coming draft will be one to watch. With Carr’s injury, the ninth pick could turn the tides, making it a key moment not just for the Saints, but for the entire league.

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