Michael Hoomanawanui to Saints: Latest Trade Details, Comment and Reaction

The New Orleans Saints have been in search of depth at tight end ever since trading Jimmy Graham to the Seattle Seahawks, but they made a move to try to solve that problem Wednesday afternoon. 

According to the Boston Globe's Ben Volin, the Saints agreed to acquire tight end Michael Hoomanawanui from the New England Patriots. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport confirmed the news and reported the Patriots received defensive end Akiem Hicks in return. 

Volin explained the motivations behind the deal for each side: 

Prior to acquiring Hoomanawanui, the Saints were working with just two tight ends. Through three games, Benjamin Watson and Josh Hill had combined to catch 11 passes for 85 yards. 

Wednesday morning, Saints head coach Sean Payton addressed his team's dearth of options at tight end. 

"That's one area that concerns me just with regards to typically we've always had three (tight ends) with one fullback," Payton said, per the Times-Picayune's Christopher Dabe. 

Regarding tight end, Payton later added, "We're light there. That's an area we have looked at. We'll continue to do so."     

Hoomanawanui had not tallied a catch this season before getting dealt to the Saints, but he's generally operated as more of a blocker than a pass-catcher. 

Ever since recording a career-high 13 catches for 146 yards and three touchdowns with the St. Louis Rams as a rookie, Hoomanawanui mustered 369 yards and one touchdown over the following four seasons from 2011-2014. 

Watson and Hill should continue to function as New Orleans' primary receivers at tight end, but Hoomanawanui will offer peace of mind.

As for the Patriots, Bleacher Report's Matt Miller was quick to praise their haul in the deal: 

A 2012 third-round pick, Hicks previously served as a staple on the end of New Orleans' defensive line. During the 2013 season, he notched a career-high 4.5 sacks and 27 tackles.

According to Pro Football Focus, 2013 was Hicks' best season on tape too. Throughout that stretch, he posted an overall grade of plus-3.5 and a run-defense grade of plus-4.9.

Hicks' numbers dropped in 2014 (2.5 sacks and 27 tackles), but he remained solid as a run-stopper. In 2014, Hicks posted a plus-3.6 grade as a run defender and a mark of minus-0.5 as a pass-rusher.

The Patriots have allowed the NFL's 10th most rushing yards (351) through three games, so it's not a surprise they made a low-risk, high-reward move to nab Hicks and reinforce their front seven with a 25-year-old talent who has plenty left to offer.