The New Orleans Saints finally completed a trade after putting out a lot of smoke that a move was coming during the first two days of the 2020 NFL Draft. They moved up in the third round, vaulting from No. 88 to No. 74 — owned by the Cleveland Browns. The opportunity allowed them to pick Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Zack Buan.
That move cost the Saints the 88th pick, as well as a third-round selection in the 2021 draft. But they were able to recoup a seventh rounder from Cleveland (No. 244), replacing the selection lost in their 2018 trade for cornerback Eli Apple. That will be useful when the team begins planning for undrafted free agency on Saturday, giving them an early bid at landing a player they covet late in the draft.
Additionally, the Saints are projected to receive a third-round compensatory pick in 2021 after losing quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in free agency. So for now, they still have three selections in the first three rounds of next year’s draft. Not a bad spot to be in after addressing their biggest remaining need by adding the best defensive player available.
