Realistic Draft Trade Possibilities for the New Orleans Saints

The possibility for trades is always one of the more exciting aspects of the NFL draft, and the New Orleans Saints have a lengthy history of making moves on draft day.

This year, the Saints have nine selections to work with, and it’s certainly possible that general manager Mickey Loomis could pull off a deal, or two, in order to land the big fish that he and coach Sean Payton covet.

In the Loomis-Payton era, New Orleans has traded up much more often than it has traded down. In fact, the Saints have traded up 10 times since Payton’s arrival in the Big Easy in 2006.

Some of the players the Saints have snagged after trading up have worked out well. These include running back Mark Ingram, punter Thomas Morstead and wide receiver Brandin Cooks. Other trade-ups have produced some duds, such as running back Antonio Pittman and defensive lineman Al Woods.

The Saints have traded down far less, but in doing so, they’ve landed some solid contributors, including safety Roman Harper and guard Jahri Evans.

With nine picks under its belt, including two in the first round and five of the first 78, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for New Orleans to simply stay put, make its picks as they stand and haul in a significant collection of young talent.

Based on their recent draft history, however, that just wouldn’t be the Saints’ style. In the following slides, we’ll explore some realistic trade scenarios for New Orleans. Keep in mind that these are mostly speculative, as Loomis has always kept things close to the vest, but it’s possible that the Saints could pull off something similar to one of these deals come draft day.

Saints Trade Up into Top 10 to Select Vic Beasley

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Clemson’s Vic Beasley has been rated across the board as one of the top edge defenders in the draft. The former All-ACC selection is a tremendous playmaker who can fly off the edge and pressure the quarterback. It just so happens that a disruptive pass-rusher is one of the Saints’ chief needs in this year’s draft.

Make no mistake, Beasley would make for a fantastic scheme fit in New Orleans, as always-creative defensive coordinator Rob Ryan would likely move him all over the field in order to take full advantage of favorable matchups. It’s easy to envision Beasley excelling in Ryan’s ultra-aggressive scheme, and the Saints may view him as a can’t-miss prospect who can help take their defense to where it needs to be.

In fact, Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net reported that the Saints would consider trading up to get Beasley if they felt he was in striking distance.

As far as defensive players go, Dante Fowler Jr. of Florida and Leonard Williams of USC should be the first two taken off the board on Thursday night, but Beasley will probably be right there behind them. If New Orleans wants to land the versatile linebacker, it will most likely have to move into the top 10 and possibly the top five.

The New York Jets could very well be eyeing Beasley with the sixth overall pick. In order to beat them to the punch, the Saints would have to move up to No. 5 and make a deal with the Washington Redskins. Such a trade could cost the Saints their No. 13 and No. 31 picks, which would be a questionable move.

Giving up picks No. 13, No. 44 and No. 78 could also get this deal done. The Saints would then be able to keep their second first-round pick at No. 31 and still get their man in Beasley. New Orleans may be slow to part with that many picks, but a willing trade partner could also perhaps be swayed if a current Saints player, such as Junior Galette, was involved in the deal.

If the Saints view Beasley as a must-have defensive playmaker, they may go ahead and attempt to make the deal happen.

Saints Trade Up into Top 5 to Select Leonard Williams or Dante Fowler Jr.

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While it’s a popular choice for the Saints to stay put and select a pass-rusher with the first pick, Loomis and Payton may have other ideas in mind.

USC defensive tackle Leonard Williams is the top-rated defensive lineman in the class, and he may be the best overall player in the draft. Florida’s Dante Fowler Jr., meanwhile, is widely agreed upon as the draft’s top edge defender.

Getting the absolute best defensive player available may be what the Saints elect to do in order to revitalize their defense. The general consensus among draft analysts is that Williams and Fowler Jr. are the best of the best at their respective positions, and New Orleans could improve its defense in a major way by bringing either one aboard.

Of course, the cost would be steep for pulling off such a trade. New Orleans would possibly have to move up to pick No. 4 in order to land Williams and No. 3 to land Fowler Jr. This means the Saints would probably have to give up both of their current first-round selections, as well as one of their third-round picks, in order to pull off such a deal.

The cost could prove to be worth the reward, however, if Williams or Fowler Jr. ends up wreaking havoc on NFC South offenses for the next few years.

Granted, the Saints giving up this much for one player is a long shot, but given their woes on defense last season, it doesn’t hurt to weigh every possible option for improvement on that side of the ball.

Saints Trade Up to Select Baylor QB Bryce Petty

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Drew Brees has meant more to the Saints organization than any other player in its history, and that’s not up for debate. The Future Hall of Famer is 36 years old, however, and it’s only a matter of time before New Orleans will make the move and hand the ball to another signal-caller.

That QB could very well be selected in this year’s draft.

Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty has a considerable list of traits that would fit well in Payton’s offense. For starters, he’s a highly intelligent player with exceptional leadership skills. He doesn’t have a cannon for an arm, but he can make every NFL throw.

In addition, he has excellent touch on his passes when the need calls for it, and he throws an accurate deep ball. Sound familiar, Saints fans?

Petty obviously hasn’t received nearly as much predraft publicity as probable top-five picks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, but there’s a chance he could be the third quarterback selected in the draft.

Last Thursday, Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole reported that New Orleans was looking to transition away from Brees in the next three or four years, and that the Saints recently held a private workout with Petty.

Most draft publications have the Baylor quarterback listed as a third- or fourth-round pick. If New Orleans deems Petty to be Brees’ heir apparent, however, it isn’t going to gamble with him not making it to the No. 75 overall pick, which is the Saints’ first of two selections in the third round.

In order to ensure themselves of acquiring Petty, the Saints may be willing to trade up into the second round. Depending on how far up into the second the Saints are willing to go, such a move could realistically cost them both of their third-round picks (No. 75 and No. 78).

This trade scenario involves a good deal of speculation, but when the potential future franchise quarterback is involved, don’t expect an offensive-minded coach like Payton to take a chance on letting him slip away.

Saints Trade Down from No. 13 for Additional Day 2 Picks

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It’s no secret that New Orleans needs a pass-rusher, and this year’s class is stocked with first-round talent at that position. It’s also apparent, however, that Loomis and Payton tend to stay away from prospects with potential character issues when a high draft pick is at stake.

Highly rated pass-rusher Shane Ray was arrested for marijuana possession on Monday morning, according to Brian Haenchen of Fox Sports Midwest. Given Ray's arrest, along with Nebraska edge defender Randy Gregory’s well-documented problems with marijuana, it could be that the Saints’ chances for landing a true difference-maker on the edge at pick No. 13 have somewhat diminished.

If Fowler Jr. and Beasley go in the first six picks, the Saints could be crossing their fingers in hopes that the Atlanta Falcons don’t nab Kentucky pass-rusher Bud Dupree at No. 8.

If the Falcons do take Dupree, the Saints may consider trading back into the latter portion of the first round and taking another pass-rusher at that time, such as Virginia's Eli Harold. Of course, New Orleans would only agree to move back if it were compensated with additional Day 2 picks.

For instance, New Orleans could strike a deal with the Baltimore Ravens, who pick at No. 26 in Round 1 and No. 58 in Round 2. The Saints would give up their No. 13 pick in exchange for picks No. 26, No. 58 and either No. 90 in the third round or No. 125 in the fourth.

New Orleans would then own the No. 26 and No. 31 picks in Round 1 and the No. 44 and No. 58 picks in Round 2. That would give the Saints four selections in the first two rounds, possibly seven in the first three rounds and 11 picks overall.

With such a stockpile of picks, Loomis could then bring in a sizable crop of highly rated football players of he and Payton’s choosing.