Just as fantasy football managers were diving deep into rookie drafts and early best ball strategies, the New Orleans Saints dropped shocking news about Derek Carr. Carr is dealing with a significant shoulder injury, placing his entire 2025 season in serious doubt.

 

 

 

What We Know About Derek Carr’s Injury

 

Reports indicate Carr’s shoulder injury is severe enough that surgery and missing the entire 2025 season are real possibilities. Sources suggest the injury might originate from a lingering 2023 AC joint sprain, exacerbated by repeated stress and inadequate recovery. Crucially, the Saints reportedly knew of Carr's shoulder issues before restructuring his $40 million 2025 compensation.

 

This strategic move guaranteed Carr's contract, significantly impacting the team's financial flexibility. The timing of the public leak just before the NFL Draft further complicates the situation, potentially forcing the Saints into an immediate and challenging quarterback decision.

 

Saints Quarterback Situation in 2025

 

Spencer Rattler

 

(Quarterback, Saints)

 

Rattler, a fifth-round pick from 2024, has the inside track to start in Carr’s absence. Despite significant playing time as a rookie, his performance was inconsistent, marked by poor efficiency, frequent sacks, turnovers, and a noticeable lack of offensive rhythm. This inconsistency raises legitimate questions about his fantasy reliability despite the promising arrival of Moore as the head coach, who historically maximizes quarterback potential.

 

 

Jake Haener

 

(Quarterback, Saints)

 

Haener spent most of 2024 as the backup, briefly starting late in the season. His limited appearances were underwhelming, failing to inspire confidence among fans or the organization. Haener’s tenuous roster position could become even more unstable if the Saints draft another quarterback, reducing his already minimal fantasy appeal.

 

Potential Rookie Draft Picks

 

Shedeur Sanders

 

(Quarterback, Colorado)

 

Sanders is frequently projected to the Saints at the ninth overall pick. Known for his accuracy, composure under pressure, and football IQ, Sanders could quickly adapt to Moore's offensive schemes.

 

However, there are valid concerns about his arm strength, deep-ball effectiveness, pocket mobility, and overall ability to adjust rapidly to NFL defenses. Nonetheless, his dynasty fantasy value would significantly increase if the Saints commit to him early.

 

Jaxson Dart

(Quarterback, Ole Miss)

 

Dart offers impressive arm strength, deep-ball accuracy, and dual-threat mobility. His ability to extend plays and strong leadership qualities align perfectly with Moore's adaptive offensive style. If selected, Dart would instantly become a highly appealing fantasy option in dynasty leagues and could carry significant upside even in redraft formats as a high-upside backup quarterback.

 

 

2025 Fantasy Football

Risers & Fallers

 

Fantasy Fallers

 

Derek Carr

 

(Quarterback, Saints)

 

Carr’s fantasy value plunges due to this injury. Managers must consider him undraftable until concrete evidence of his health recovery emerges, effectively removing him from fantasy relevance for the foreseeable future.

 

Chris Olave

 

(Wide Receiver, Saints)

 

Carr’s injury severely impacts Olave’s fantasy prospects. Already risky due to previous concussions, the downgrade at quarterback drastically reduces his expected production, relegating him from a potential WR2 to a highly volatile WR3 or even WR4 with severely diminished weekly consistency.

 

Rashid Shaheed

 

(Wide Receiver, Saints)

 

Shaheed’s fantasy outlook sharply deteriorates, as deep-threat roles heavily depend on quarterback accuracy. Reduced to speculative late-round picks, Shaheed's boom-or-bust potential skews more towards bust due to the instability under center.

 

 

Brandin Cooks

 

(Wide Receiver, Saints)

 

Cooks, already slated as a complementary receiver, sees his fantasy ceiling further limited. Quarterback uncertainty makes him primarily a depth option with limited upside, only viable in extremely deep leagues.

 

Fantasy Risers

 

Spencer Rattler

 

Rattler’s fantasy value notably climbs due to his potential starting role. While real-world efficiency remains uncertain, the volume of opportunities alone makes him relevant in deeper formats, particularly Superflex leagues, even if his performance metrics remain questionable.

 

Taysom Hill and Juwan Johnson

 

(Tight Ends, Saints)

 

Hill and Johnson could both see an uptick in targets and versatile usage, particularly if the Saints’ quarterback play proves inconsistent. They become intriguing late-round selections, especially in best ball formats, due to their potential high-value touches.

 

 

Alvin Kamara

 

(Running Back, Saints)

 

Kamara may benefit from increased short passing attempts and checkdowns as the team compensates for quarterback instability. While overall touchdown opportunities might decrease due to offensive efficiency declines, Kamara’s consistent receptions in PPR formats should stabilize his RB2 value.

 

Draft Strategy Adjustments

 

Redraft and Best Ball Formats

 

Completely avoid drafting Carr until clearer health updates emerge.

 

Significantly downgrade Olave and Shaheed due to increased quarterback uncertainty.

 

Maintain Kamara as a reliable RB2, particularly in PPR leagues.

 

Consider Rattler a speculative late-round flier strictly in Superflex formats, given the high risk and potential reward.

 

Dynasty Leagues

 

Actively attempt to trade Carr while any market value persists.

 

Explore buy-low opportunities on Olave and Shaheed, banking on their long-term talent and hoping for eventual quarterback stabilization.

 

Retain Kamara if your team is contending, but consider selling him off for younger assets if you are rebuilding.

 

 

Draft Dominoes Falling

 

Carr’s injury significantly heightens the Saints' urgency to select a quarterback early in the draft. Their ninth overall pick is now heavily anticipated to address this critical position, thrusting players like Sanders and Dart into the spotlight.

 

This urgency exerts additional pressure on quarterback-needy teams such as the Broncos and Steelers, potentially compelling them to trade up or shift draft strategies entirely to secure their preferred quarterbacks.

 

Impact on Non-QB Prospects

 

The Saints' increased quarterback urgency will ripple through the draft, potentially causing top-rated non-quarterback prospects to slide slightly. This domino effect could benefit teams drafting immediately after the Saints, offering unexpected value and compelling teams to reconsider their strategic priorities.

 

Conclusion: Navigating Fantasy Uncertainty

 

The Derek Carr injury fantasy impact necessitates proactive adjustments for fantasy managers, especially concerning Saints skill-position players. Adjusting player valuations, closely evaluating quarterback scenarios, and carefully monitoring draft outcomes are crucial strategies for managers navigating this uncertainty.

 

Fantasy managers must remain vigilant, closely tracking Carr’s health updates and the Saints' draft strategies to maintain competitive advantages.

 

Stay informed, remain adaptive, and actively respond to all developments surrounding the Saints to optimize your 2025 fantasy football approach.