Bailing Out: 4 Scenarios That Would Make the New Orleans Saints Trade Down

As I mentioned last week, the New Orleans Saints might just be better off trading away their first round pick in the 2011 NFL draft. 

First, there are a number of players who have been mentioned as possible Saints' picks at No. 24 who simply should not have first-round grades assigned to their names. Even among those who should, many of those prospects are simply not good fits for what the Saints are trying to accomplish with their football team. 

That same argument can be used to explain why trading back is such a good option. Because there are so many players who may or may not have a first-round grade—in other words, it is a very deep draft—the team can get an early second-round pick and also pick up one or two more picks in this draft. 

Doing so would be helpful since the team doesn't currently possess any selections in rounds four through six, where the draft is probably strongest from a depth perspective. I can think of at least three or four guys off the top of my head who are likely to be selected in these rounds who I'd love the Saints to pick up.

But that is all a mere digression from the point of this article—identifying situations that would require the Saints to trade away their first-round pick. 

A Third QB

One such situation that should make the Saints trade back involves the unlikely proposition that a third quarterback has not yet been selected. It seems automatic—despite my disagreement on the issue—that Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert will be top-10 picks. 

It is possible that a third QB could come off the board prior to the No. 24 pick, which of course would mean fewer teams would be searching for said position. But if a third QB is not off the board, expect teams to call the Saints hoping to get ahead of Seattle at No. 25, who has long been rumored to be looking at a QB in this draft. 

No Defensive Linemen Left

Okay, I know this scenario seems highly unlikely. For there to be no defensive linemen left with first round grades at No. 24 there would have to be an all-out blitz on them.

But with the league becoming such a passing league, and several teams drafting high looking for pass rushers, it's not impossible to think a run on defensive ends could take place prior to the Saints' pick at 24. 

Sure, the Saints could stay put and draft an outside linebacker or the best player available, but neither move would make as much sense. There are zero outside linebackers worthy of first round consideration, and the best player available is likely to be a running back or another skill player, neither of which the Saints need to address. 

Only 3-4 Defensive Ends Remaining

It could happen that all the defensive ends remaining at No. 24 are guys who have been labeled five-technique defensive ends, including Ohio State's Cameron Heyward, Iowa's Adrian Clayborn and Wisconsin's J.J. Watt. 

There are scouts willing to concede that any or all of these guys could have success in a 4-3, but ultimately those are decisions the Saints have already made. They already know if they would draft one of them if they were the best defensive end remaining. 

Though I like all three Big Ten guys, I have a feeling the Saints may decide not to select any of them because of their scheme fits. If any of the three were the highest player remaining on the Saints' draft board, my guess is the Saints would actively search out trade partners. 

Best Player Available is a Running Back

Many pundits have given Mark Ingram to the Saints, but others question whether Ingram is even a first-round pick. We must remember that running backs almost always fall in the draft. Therefore, Ingram will likely be available at No. 24. As I've stated before, my hope is the Saints don't take the bait on his availability. 

It's not that Ingram will be a bust—I highly doubt he will—but drafting him in the first round would also be a waste of a first-round pick, especially if you can turn that first selection into a couple more picks.

All of this assumes the Saints will not reach and take a guy they have given a second round grade to. I like to believe the Saints are wiser than that, therefore they will make a wise decision and do everything they can to trade down if the right player does not exist at no. 24.