Just how weird could the New Orleans Saints offseason get? The Saints are in the business of making bold moves, ranging from big hits (like signing Jared Cook and Demario Davis in consecutive years) to big whiffs (Jairus Byrd and Brandon Browner once shared the field), with others still to be decided (the jury’s out on Marcus Davenport, a player with terrific potential and a growing injury history).
So we should expect more big swings from the Saints in 2020. We took a shot at projecting four scenarios that might test the boundaries of what’s realistic; so take note that we aren’t advocating for these moves, just speculating. Think of it as a series of thought experiments, in the form of our hottest takes.
Trade up for a top-three wide receiver prospect
CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy, and Henry Ruggs III are all expected to be picked in the first half of the 2020 NFL Draft. They’re the cream of the crop, the most-accomplished and most-athletic receivers available, and the Saints won’t have a shot at any of them barring a big trade up. So that’s where we’ll start.
The Saints have made big leaps up the draft board before, moving from No. 27 to No. 14 (for Marcus Davenport in 2017) and from No. 56 to No. 28 (for Mark Ingram, back in 2011). They’ve been willing to give up future picks for immediate returns before, and could so again. It’s just kind of puzzling to do so in such a deep receiver class.
Maybe instead of jumping up that high for Lamb or one of the Alabama prospects, the Saints could make a smaller move up for Justin Jefferson or Jalen Reagor (like their trade from No. 27 to No. 20 in 2014, targeting Brandin Cooks). But that wouldn’t be ridiculously bold as another Davenport-esque trade, would it?
Trade Taysom Hill to the Indianapolis Colts
The Colts own pick No. 34 in this year’s draft, just ten spots behind the Saints at No. 24. Adding that pick would give the Saints an opportunity to add multiple playmakers at key positions, like a real receiver who could be five or six years younger than the Saints’ third-string quarterback/part-time slot receiver/special teams coverage ace.
Of course, this hinges on the theory that Sean Payton is bluffing when he talks Hill up as the next Steve Young. It would mean that the Saints don’t view Hill as face-of-the-franchise material, which makes sense considering more than half his snaps came in the kicking game. All those tackles he made, leading with his throwing shoulder, weren’t for nothing. It’s the ultimate test of words versus actions.
Why the Colts? They need a new quarterback after Jacoby Brissett’s underwhelming time in the starting job, and Hill could be a better pickup than the past-his-prime Philip Rivers. Imagine what Colts coach Frank Reich, of “Philly Special” fame, could do with Hill in the fold. The Colts own multiple picks in the top two rounds, including two in the second round, and they could more easily justify the cost to acquire him than most.
Trade for Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew
The Jaguars are in the process of all-but blowing things up, having shipped Jalen Ramsey out of town last year and now franchise tagging Yannick Ngakoue, which might preclude another trade. They’re in a tough spot with Nick Foles on an expensive contract, with Minshew having outplayed him in his rookie year.
So far, the answer to that dilemma has been trying to shop Foles around. But what if we approach it from the other direction? If the Jaguars could get a decent return for Minshew (who they drafted in the sixth round last year), they could keep Foles in town and save face on his bloated contract.
The Jaguars recouped a fourth-round pick for cornerback A.J. Bouye, who has played well for several seasons. Maybe they’d accept a third-round pick for Minshew, who would immediately fit New Orleans as a backup passer who does his best work in the pocket. Like Teddy Bridgewater, he’d offer a smoother transition from Drew Brees than Hill, whose limitations require more retooling for the offense.
Trade Alvin Kamara to the Los Angeles Chargers
We don’t want this to happen. Kamara is perfectly suited for the Saints offense as a dual threat on the ground and through the air, and he should be affordable for them. A long-term contract extension between Kamara and the Saints should be fully anticipated, either in this offseason or the next.
But what if contract talks fall apart? If the Saints were to shop Kamara round, which teams could come calling? One to watch might be the Chargers, who are likely to lose top back Melvin Gordon in free agency, as well as pass-catching specialist Austin Ekeler (a restricted free agent). Kamara could replace both of them and be a welcome checkdown for whichever rookie quarterback the Chargers end up with at sixth overall; let’s say that the Chargers offer their second-round selection, at 37th overall.
