What’s the New Orleans Saints’ plan without Hau’oli Kikaha?

Jabaal Sheard, #93

Considering their lack of draft capital to work with, I can’t see the Saints investing future draft picks in a veteran player who may not stick around after 2016.  But if they do decide to go this route, my favorite candidate would be New England Patriots defensive end Jabaal Sheard.

Sheard is expected to start in 2016, so at first glance this seems unlikely.  They already sent one defensive end in Chandler Jones to the Arizona Cardinals.  But if you look under the surface, the potential for moving Sheard for future draft picks is there.

Last year’s fourth-round pick, Trey Flowers, is competing with free agent acquisition Chris Long to get into the rotation.  Bill Belichick is experimenting with Rob Ninkovich at inside linebacker in an attempt to get his best pass rushers on the field at the same time.

The “too many mouths to feed” metaphor extends to the team’s finances.  Sheard’s contract is up in 2017, along with defensive stars Dont’a Hightower, Jamie Collins, Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan, and the aforementioned Ninkovich and Long.

The Patriots shouldn’t expect to get more than a fifth-round pick in compensation for Sheard should he walk in free agency next spring.  Considering their depth at the position, it would make sense to get ahead of the curve and send him to New Orleans in exchange for, say, a fourth-round pick.  Maybe include a player who is buried on the Saints’ own depth chart like wideout Brandon Coleman, who fits New England’s biggest area of weakness (catching footballs) and comes from Belichick’s favorite football factory (Rutgers).

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