The New Orleans Saints face pivotal decisions ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, with a strong focus on their cornerback position after trading Marshon Lattimore and losing Paulson Adebo to free agency. The consensus among analysts suggests selecting Will Johnson from Michigan with their No. 9 pick. Johnson's attributes, including elite coverage skills reminiscent of Sauce Gardner, make him a prime candidate to bolster the Saints' secondary, which currently lacks depth.

In 32 collegiate games, Johnson showcased impressive stats, with 57 tackles and 9 interceptions. He is considered a high-floor prospect who could kickstart a much-needed roster revamp for New Orleans. Pairing him with Kool-Aid McKinstry and Alontae Taylor could create a formidable cornerback duo, improving the overall defense.

Washington Commanders have recently made significant moves, including trading Jahan Dotson and John Ridgeway, resulting in better draft capital for 2025, but new acquisitions have reduced their immediate picks. Recent trades for stars like Marshon Lattimore and Laremy Tunsil have left them with only five picks for the upcoming draft, placing them 31st in CBS Sports' ranking of NFL teams by draft value, just ahead of the Minnesota Vikings. With a total draft value of 283.26 points, they have retained their top two picks but traded away their third and fourth rounds to acquire Lattimore. This strategy aligns with GM Adam Peters' plan to build around rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

The Commanders are still keen on maximizing their draft potential and may trade down to increase their capital. The focus is on enhancing the team while managing the rookie quarterback's affordability, hinging on veteran talent acquisition and future picks. Despite injury concerns with Lattimore and Samuel, the hope is a healthy offseason will rejuvenate them.

The New Orleans Saints are poised to make a significant move by acquiring Patrick Surtain II, the Denver Broncos' standout cornerback, in a hypothetical scenario crafted by Bleacher Report. This draft twist allows current NFL players to be traded as teams look toward the future, with the Saints ready to strengthen their secondary with one of the league's elite defenders. Surtain, a two-time First Team All-Pro and reigning Defensive Player of the Year, brings a level of talent that the Saints sorely need, particularly with Marshon Lattimore's injury struggles impacting the team's defensive consistency.

Bringing in Surtain could potentially reshape the Saints’ defense, allowing for more support across the secondary. His ability to lock down opposing receivers would not only improve pass coverage but also enhance the pass rush by giving safeties the freedom to assist in other areas. With a glaring hole at cornerback, the addition of a player of Surtain's caliber would be a game-changer for the Saints.

The New Orleans Saints find themselves in a precarious financial situation, with over $50 million in dead money already on the books. This substantial figure is primarily tied to contracts of players like Marshon Lattimore and Michael Thomas. The Saints are at risk of setting a new NFL record for dead money if they cut Derek Carr, as it would nearly double their current liabilities. With looming free agency, the Saints must navigate these financial constraints carefully to remain competitive, as cutting Carr would push their dead money total to an unprecedented $118 million.

As the team prepares for the offseason, the necessity of restructuring contracts becomes apparent. The Saints have already made moves to comply with salary cap regulations, but further adjustments may be needed if they wish to retain key free agents. The optimists within the organization hope that keeping Carr will provide the stability necessary to improve their prospects for the upcoming season.

Amari Cooper, the former 5-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, recently became a free agent at the age of 30, having had a productive career yet faced challenges with performance in his last season with the Buffalo Bills. Despite being only ten years into his NFL career, there are questions about his viability moving forward. The Washington Commanders, who previously sought to acquire him from the Cowboys, may consider him as a budget-friendly option to enhance their wide receiver depth, potentially forming a veteran trio with Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel.

However, some experts, including Matthew Berry, have received insights from coaching personnel suggesting Cooper's best days may be behind him, citing a decline in production, especially after failing to thrive in Buffalo. While Washington is actively looking to improve its receiving corps, they might lean towards younger and faster alternatives than Cooper, despite the tantalizing possibility of his experience boosting a struggling group.