(04-05-2022, 09:24 AM)Mikey Wrote:

(04-04-2022, 09:59 PM)Bullseye Wrote: https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20...-and-more/

The Saints look like a team preparing to trade up.

I wonder who they are after.

This deal is a major head-scratcher. To make this trade before any picks have been made tells me either they needed current capital to move up to another pick (but then why not just package your first this year and next for the move up, and leave the iggles out of it?) or they seriously envision several players dropping that they want. Again, the same question must be asked, though - why do the deal weeks ahead of the picks, especially if you have a particular player(s) targeted?

I could see them either moving up for one of the tackles, or a WR to replace Thomas. Even if they are aiming for one specific player, the timing is just so odd. One team in the top ten could botch the whole plan by taking a surprise pick.

Loomis has gone years finding ways to get by and keep the good thing going, but this deal strikes me as the one that could usher him out of NOLA.

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(04-05-2022, 06:57 AM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote: Personally, I believe New Orleans can sit tight where they are at and still get either Malik Willis or at worst, Matt Corral. I think they could've been able to get one or the other before they even made the trade. I believe this trade was made in order to fill needs at both QB and LT. What good is taking a QB of the future if you can't protect them? This trade allows the Saints to fill both needs. Maybe I'm wrong, but I just don't think they need to trade up to get a QB. I really only see Carolina as a team that is probably gonna draft a QB ahead of them and possibly Washington.

If the QBs start sliding, though, the price tag to move up and get them drops with every pick. Whether it's NOLA, PIT, WAS, or someone else, I think someone is going to make the splash and move up into the top ten to get the QB run (mini run, likely) started.

This seems a desperate move on behalf of the Aints, though, and in light of where they are presently, I don't see a team that should be in "win or else" mode.

Like I said, I believe Pickett gets drafted by the Panthers at #6. I can't imagine them going another season with Sam Darnold as a starter. The problem is that Pickett is the only QB in this draft who can be a day 1 starter. Malik Willis and Matt Corral both need a season or two to develop as passers. Willis has zero instincts in the pocket and Corral is spotty, at best. Who is gonna want to move up to get either one of those guys, knowing they will be non-factors for the first year or two of their pro careers? 

I agree. I believe this was a desperation move on behalf of the Saints, but I believe it was a desperation move to get a starting LT, not a QB. I think they were in jeopardy of missing out on Trevor Penning and they wanted to make sure they were able to secure one of the top LT's. After he goes off the board, there is a very significant dropoff at the position. If they could land a QB at #16 and Penning at #19, they should be in decent shape moving onto the future.

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