New Orleans Saints Trade Idea: Is Ryan Kerrigan a realistic option?

The Nov. 3 trade deadline is quickly approaching, and the Saints may look to add some help at linebacker given the lack of production beside Demario Davis.

The New Orleans Saints are 3-2.

While they’re above .500 and could’ve easily been entering their Week 6 bye 4-1, the Saints haven’t played pretty football. They’ve been down 14 points and 17 points in their last two games respectively. Part of their struggle has been kicking games off on the right foot.

Their defense just hasn’t brought the intensity as teams have had their way with New Orleans early.

Injuries have wreaked havoc on this team as well. Marcus Davenport, Kiko Alonso, Janoris Jenkins, and Mashon Lattimore have all missed time with Davenport having missed four of the team’s five games.

While the latter two should be returning following the bye week, the Saints could still use more help on that side of the ball. With conditional picks likely coming their way next offseason, the Saints may want to look into adding depth at linebacker.

Despite getting Kiko Alonso back in the near future, New Orleans doesn’t have that high-level talent alongside Davis that Super Bowl-winning teams typically have. With Brees aging, the Saints need to be elite defensively, and right now, they’ll just average.

That said, one suggested trade the Saints make before the November 3 trade deadline is a deal for Washington Football Team’s Ryan Kerrigan, a trade first brought to light by CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin.

For Kerrigan, New Orleans would be sending away a conditional fourth-round pick, a deal well worth the star linebacker that is among the better run-stoppers at his position.

"“The Saints tipped their hand regarding their own pass rush when they tried to game the system to land Jadeveon Clowney. And while Marcus Davenportmight finally be coming on, they can’t afford to bank completely on his production opposite Cameron Jordan during a do-or-die season in a tough NFC South. Kerrigan is exactly the kind of proven edge rusher who could step in and be a steady No. 3 for that unit, whereas Ron Rivera should be looking solely to collect draft capital. He’s also got plenty of younger talent on his D-line,” CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin wrote."

The 6-foot-4 Kerrigan could act as a versatile, pass-rushing linebacker. He has four seasons in which he’s recorded at least ten sacks on his career. A combination of a linebacker and defensive end, much like Jadeveon Clowney, would give more elite options for Dennis Allen.

With Aaron Rodgers and other elite quarterbacks in the conference, making them uncomfortable should be the top priority for the Saints entering the trade deadline.

For now, Washington may not want to give up on the season, but before the deadline hits, they should understand the playoffs are out of reach.