New Orleans Saints: Possible First Round Draft Trades

In what has been a wild few weeks of free agency, the needs of most of the 32 teams have been better established. This in turn translates to better informed draft selection possibilities. Better informed, but by no means certain – Not until April 30^th (mark your calendars now). The New Orleans Saints have two selections on draft night, #13 and #31, and despite everything I’ve been reading I have no idea what to expect. We could go any number of selections with those picks – Or we could trade up. Let’s explore the latter.

I’ve highlighted the likeliest candidates for a trade up. There are a handful of players we should, by my estimation, be able to draft outright particularly on the offensive line and in the defensive secondary. I won’t include them here, but I am more than happy to discuss in the comments.

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Marcus Mariota

CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora very recently made a list of 5 teams that may trade-up with the Titans to the #2 spot to snag Quarterback Marcus Mariota. I’m intrigued by this idea. Mariota is a tremendous talent. According to analysis at Go Ducks, Oregon’s all-time greatest signal caller notably led the nation in passing efficiency (181.7) and QB rating (90.9) en route to their appearance in the inaugural College Football Playoff. Add his blazing fast speed and the appeal is certainly there.

Mariota is a special player with tremendous upside and good scheme fit in Sean Payton’s offense. There are concerns over his pro readiness, but I have a feeling he will well in the right system. Let’s also be frank, future Hall of Famer Drew Brees, 36, isn’t getting any younger and it doesn’t help matters that the Saints likely won’t have an amenable cap situation again in 2016. Barring a pay cut or similar roster overhaul, moving Brees would create some $20 million in cap relief next offseason (Courtesy of Spotrac).

Could this happen? It’s not outside the realm of possibility given the Saints mounting stockpile of draft picks in the first 3 rounds. We traded up last year to grab former Oregon State standout wide receiver Brandin Cooks at #20, though the situation this time around is clearly not so straightforward. Also, let’s not forget 1999 when the Saints mortgaged 8 picks, including two firsts, under then coach Mike Ditkato trade up from #12 to #5 to get Ricky Williams.

Would that happen again? I doubt it. My immediate call on us getting Mariota, despite his appeal is no, at least not at that (or a similar) price and especially not with all of the other needs the Saints have.

Pass Rushers or Outside Linebackers

I think a trade up for one of the top-tier defenders in this class is a more likely (and the only other) possibility. The Saints have 9 picks in this Draft and per ESPN New Orleans Saints reporter Mike Triplett, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis already stated that a rebuild of defense is a top priority, as was evidenced by his willingness to trade TE Jimmy Graham to the Seahawks for Center Max Unger and Seattle’s #31 –

"“… We feel like we do well on that [offensive] side of the ball, but we’ve got to improve ourselves on defense. And there’s three ways to get players in our league. That’s through free agency, through the draft, and then trades. We kind of believe in using all avenues.” – Mickey Loomis"

I’m behind going all in on defense, but is there anyone in this class worth trading up for? At what cost?

Feb 22, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive lineman Leonard Williams goes through a workout drill during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

I tend to think so. In my mind, there is an established group of pass rushers and defenders that I am confident will off the board by #10. USC’s nightmare defensive lineman Leonard Williams, as well as Nebraska, Florida, and Clemson OLB/Pass rushers Randy Gregory, Dante Fowler Jr, and Vic Beasley, respectively, are all solid players that could very likely translate to the next level.

Assuming we make a trade up for one of those guys, what might the price be? Likely none of them will fall past Atlanta at #8, so the move would need to be higher than that (and I don’t see Atlanta trading with us, for obvious reasons). I would hazard a price range of our #13 and #31, or #13, #44, and #75.

Failing a trade up, don’t despair Saints fans. Outside of what I would deem are the tier-1, front-7 defenders are a number of equally intriguing, if perhaps less polished options in Kentucky’s Bud Dupree, Missouri’s Shane Ray, and Washington’s DT Danny Shelton. Whether we trade or hold, I know I am anxiously awaiting Draft night.

Next: Brandon Browner The Battering Ram

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