The New Orleans Saints are entering the draft with needs throughout the team, but with investments made in bringing back players and making acquisitions, the roster is in a much better place than expected. Depending on who is available, and comp pick considerations, I would not be surprised to see the Saints make more signings in free agency, either before or after the draft. I've been very vocal about the Saints needing to sign a LG, and my preference is that happening before the draft, but if New Orleans has a deal lined up for after the draft, that is also fine. With more signings in mind and holes being filled outside of the draft, the Saints will have near-maximum flexibility with their picks. Currently, they have nine selections, and keeping these picks will be massive for building this team, but sometimes, there are scenarios where trades are on the table that make too much sense for the team. Today, we will discuss three trades in the top 10.
The first trade will be expensive, surprising, and extremely doubtful, but it is not out of the question. Cam Ward is the consensus number one quarterback in the NFL Draft, and there are nearly zero arguments around that thought. New Orleans is going into the draft with the future at quarterback unknown, and although there is belief in Spencer Rattler around the Saints, we do not know how head coach Kellen Moore feels about Rattler. Yes, he may have some faith in the young QB, but if the opportunity is there to get Moore's "guy" in the draft, it is hard to pass up. If I had to choose one quarterback that fits this, it would be Cam Ward, but the Saints will need to trade up to the number one pick if they want him. A quarterback changes everything about a team, for better or worse. It is arguably the most vital position in sports, and the Saints are in a fantastic opportunity to allow Ward to develop for a year while Derek Carr plays his last season in New Orleans. The other factor is that the Tennessee Titans need to be willing to trade away their selection.
The Tennessee Titans have not been in the conversations for any of the available veteran quarterbacks this offseason, which points them in the direction of going with Ward at 1, but this could all be a way to raise the price of their pick. The Titans entered the offseason, making that selection available for teams, and the interest could have been much lower than expected. For months, there was genuine belief this pick could be traded, but now, this would be extremely surprising. Draft season is filled with lies and smokescreens, but I always believe that if you must choose one of the rumors to put some stock in, go with the first one. Once again, this trade would be shocking, but if it does happen, here is what it could look like:
A dominant ED/OLB can change the outlook of any defense and can take over games. We have seen this with the Steelers, whose offense will freeze, but T.J. Watt will take over and win games. For the Saints, there is some hope Chase Young can be that difference maker, but at this position, it feels like there is no such thing as too many on a roster. Abdul Carter is that difference-maker in this year's draft, and trading up for him makes sense. His number one player comp is Micah Parsons, which is an easy comparison. Carter is dominant, extremely athletic, and has an insane bend; he is what the Saints need on their roster. In Staley's scheme, Carter can be the OLB they are missing and head coach Kellen Moore has seen firsthand what a player like Carter can do for a team.
Regarding the trade itself, there is one place where this would make sense for both teams, and that is the New England Patriots at 9. In this scenario, Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, and Travis Hunter would go in the top 3, leaving Carter available at 4. The Patriots could just draft Carter, but the offensive line is a much bigger need, and getting more picks to improve the roster makes sense for where New England is. The other factor is the Carolina Panthers will 100% be equally interested in trading up for this pick. No team wants to face Abdul Carter twice a year, and this is something the Saints will be thinking about in this scenario. Need and worry about the Panthers trading up can create a perfect storm to make the Saints trade up for Abdul Carter, and this is what the deal could be:
The last, but my goodness not the least, trade the Saints could make in the top 10 is for Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. New Orleans has done a good job at defensive tackle this offseason by keeping depth and trading for Davon Godchaux, but improvements can still be made. Graham would single-handedly improve the Saints' run defense and pass rush. He is quick, strong enough to take on double teams, and always in position to make a play. Also, Graham has some positional versatility that makes him a centerpiece in both 3-4 and 4-3 defenses, which Staley switches between in his scheme. The next question is how can the Saints get him?
The consensus pick where Mason Graham is selected is at five by the Jacksonville Jaguars. This pick makes sense for the Jaguars, but they also has needs at cornerback and wide receiver. The Saints' pick at 9 is better suited for those positions in this draft, and they get some more assets in the process. Just like with the Abdul Carter trade, the Panthers are once again a factor here. Carolina missed out on signing Milton Williams in free agency and clearly will not shy away from massive investment at defensive tackle. If the pick is available for trade, the Panthers will be the first to call the Jags, and just like with Carter, the Saints will not want to face Graham twice a year. With all of this in mind, here is how the Saints can trade up with the Jaguars.