Missing a second-round pick, trading back should be the play for the New Orleans Saints

While it may feel unlikely, the New Orleans Saints are in the perfect position to trade back from their 24th pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

The New Orleans Saints have one first-round draft pick and not a single second-round draft pick. While they do have a third as well, the Saints have numerous holes that could be filled in what should be an insanely deep draft at receiver.

Let’s play it out then.

The Saints trade with the Bengals to secure the 33rd pick and then an additional fourth-round pick. They can then snag Damon Arnette to fill their void at cornerback and then a receiver in the fourth round to help Michael Thomas.

That should, at the very least, be a possibility for the team. While that specific situation isn’t going to happen, there could be several other scenarios that arise where the team would have the opportunity to trade out of the 24th overall pick.

But, would they? Is that something that will be on the team’s radar come April 23?

NOLA.com’s Luke Johnson caught up with Mickey Loomis, the Saints general manager, and talked about the potential to trade back.

“I feel like our group has done a good job of identifying guys we really want and doing what it takes to get them with the assets that we have. These are all assets, and we’re trying to take advantage of them. Sometimes that’s bundling picks and moving to target a particular player, and sometimes it’s, ‘Hey, let’s accumulate (more picks).’”

The Saints are going to have to make decisions soon with free agency in the next few weeks. They’re in the bottom ten teams in cap space at around $12 million.

With that, they’ll need to re-sign Drew Brees along with potentially filling Eli Apple, Andrus Peat, and Vonn Bell’s contribution. Taysom Hill will also be looking at a new contract as he’s a restricted free agent this coming offseason.

Needless to say, the Saints must find a way to bring in talent while on a budget. That will be in the draft. And, if the potential to trade down is there to secure a less-attractive talent that will still contribute, it’s something Loomis and the front office must consider.