Why Adam Trautman is the biggest sleeper on the Saints’ offense

Dayton tight end Adam Trautman could be another mid-round steal for the Sean Payton-led New Orleans Saints offense.

Tight end Adam Trautman, who was drafted in the third round of the University of Dayton, looks to show early on this year why New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton traded up to snag him.

Saints News Network points out how Trautman is the first player drafted out Dayton in 43 years. The Saints have found diamonds in the rough when it comes to drafting tight ends.

Tight Ends drafted in the late-round like Jimmy Graham and undrafted gems like Josh Hill and Taysom Hill have gone on to catch several touchdowns and become essential contributors for Sean Payton’s offense.

Of course, Graham went on to make a few Pro Bowls, but let’s not forget that he was a third-round draft pick who fit very well with Drew Brees and playing on the dome’s turf.

Adam Trautman fits the recipe as a key contributor in a passing scheme that likes to throw vertical. Jared Cook also found success with his speed and athletic ability, but Cook also created opportunities for fellow teammates.

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Teams had to worry about Jared Cook and Alvin Kamara out of the backfield and Michael Thomas, who occasionally lines up in the slot. Taysom Hill, who played quarterback most of his life, caught six touchdowns last year and was running free because a backup linebacker or a team’s 4th corner couldn’t cover him.

Imagine an athletic freak like Adam Trautman getting all the opportunities Taysom Hill had last year, along with the fact that the Saints added Emmanual Sanders, so defenses will certainly have to focus more attention away from the Saints tight ends and onto Sanders.

In a year where teams will focus on Michael Thomas more than ever, things might open up for the tight end who caught 31 receiving touchdowns in college. Jared Cook is 33 years old, and he’s not getting any younger.

It would be formidable for the Saints to have a young tight end to pair with Drew Brees’ successor. Fans shouldn’t worry that Trautman was a third-round draft pick because that hasn’t stopped the mastermind, Sean Payton, from utilizing a player’s talent to their fullest potential.

The last player that Sean Payton traded up for in the third round was Alvin Kamara, even though the Saints didn’t have much draft capital at the time and running back position wasn’t seen as a big need at the time with Ingram and Adrian Peterson.

Ingram and Peterson moved out during or after that season, and it’s safe to say that Kamara proved his worth, making it to the Pro Bowl each of his three seasons in the league. Expect Adam Trautman, who was a small-college talent, to make splash plays this year when teams hone in on the reputable Saints superstars.

Trautman will prove to be another late-round steal for the Black and Gold.