The Saints trade for Kwon Alexander gives the defense an upgrade at a key position.
Last season, linebacker Kwon Alexander was a member of a San Francisco 49ers defense that made it to Super Bowl LIV before falling to Kansas City. Now, he will still wear gold but swap red for black after ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the former Buccaneer and 49er will now join the New Orleans Saints via trade.
The move is expected to improve the Saints linebacker corps as their much-anticipated matchup with Alexander’s former team in Tampa Bay draws closer. However, with the deal happening just one day prior to the Nov. 3 NFL trade deadline, Alexander won’t be available for that matchup due to the league’s COVID-19 protocols.
As for San Francisco, given their current state, it was wise to receive compensation for the move as their season has fallen by the wayside given a slew of injuries.
Saints needed defensive help and they get a Pro Bowler in Kwon Alexander.
Kwon Alexander is no stranger to success in his career. At 26 years old, he already has a Pro Bowl to his name and over 400 tackles. Since being drafted out of LSU, Alexander has made plays for every franchise that he has been a part of.
Last season, San Francisco emerged from one of the worst teams in the league to becoming champions of the NFC. Though Alexander was activated before the postseason, he played well. Granted, he had help in the front four but Robert Saleh’s defense relied on excellent play from the linebackers in the run to the Super Bowl, one of which was Alexander.
With the Saints looking to make a statement in the division in the final years of Drew Brees, this is the type of move that they make. In addition, his youth can add fresh blood to a defense that had its ups and downs throughout the season, especially against Nick Foles and the Bears in their past game that was won in overtime.