Pros, cons to Saints drafting Tulane QB Michael Pratt

Remember the mantra: draft a quarterback until you have a good one. Carr is who he is at this point in his career with 10 years and 159 games to evaluate, in a variety of different systems. We know where his ceiling is with or without Klint Kubiak calling plays for him. Jake Haener was uninspiring to say the least on limited snaps in preseason last summer. The less said about Nathan Peterman’s presence on the team, the better.

Pratt, meanwhile, has performed at a high level in college and proven he can compete against other future pros. He brings the leadership qualities that NFL teams look for; they appreciate seeing him cheer on teammates during the bench press at Tulane’s pro day and speaking out on the sidelines when things are getting dicey in close games. He can lead the huddle, make big-time throws, and rally those around him. Those are qualities the Saints have missed at quarterback since Drew Brees retired three years ago.

There are other quarterbacks in this draft class who can do the same. It’s unlikely one of the top four passers will make it to the Saints’ first-round pick at No. 14, and it would be a surprise to see either Michael Penix or Bo Nix on the board in the second round at No. 45. Pratt could be available, though, and he might be worthy of that second-round choice. The Saints could draft an impactful rookie in the first round before adding a quarterback the next day. Having Pratt on an affordable rookie deal would make it easier to move on from Derek Carr in a year or two; that split, whenever it happens, is going to leave a lot of dead money behind.