Saints: Latavius Murray could be the NFL’s most underrated trade target
According to MMQB’s Albert Breer via Saints Wire’s John Sigler, New Orleans is open to trading Latavius Murray and Emmanuel Sanders.
What we don’t quite know is what the Saints are willing to take for either of the two. Both are impactful members of the Saints offense, one that is set to undergo at least some changes this offseason.
While both had meaningful games last season, the Saints are going all in to get under the salary cap and could even look to extend cornerback Marshon Lattimore and offensive lineman Ryan Ramczyk while doing so.
Trading Murray and Sanders, especially given their lack of late-round picks, makes sense.
The New Orleans Saints may look to trade running back Latavius Murray, and he would be a massive steal for most other NFL teams.
Having been behind Alvin Kamara since joining the franchise back in the 2019 offseason, Murray has exploded onto the scene on multiple occasions. His play was especially crucial when 42-year-old Drew Brees went down with an injury.
Murray averaged over 50 yards per game and had his best game of the season, topping 120 yards, while Brees was sidelined. Acting as a backup, Murray has over 600 yards in both the last two seasons.
For a player behind a Pro Bowler, that’s mightily impressive.
Inactive against the Bucs in the Saints’ final game of the season, Murray’s absence could easily be one reason why the team’s offense struggled. Murray averaged over 40 yards per game in the two regular-season matchups with Tampa Bay.
Murray is an elite backup running back and is arguably the best in the NFL.
A veteran, Murray signed a four-year, $14.4 million contract in 2019 and would save the Saints around $4.2 million if traded. The Saints could release Murray and save around $2.5 million, but knowing his value, that seems unlikely.
The Saints are going to more than likely move on from both Murray and Sanders, and it’s a sad reality. Murray has produced several big-time performances, and his ability to be the thunder to Kamara’s lightning has been huge for this offense.
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Murray will be missed when he’s dealt or released, and assuming the Saints will return a late-round pick, any team should hop on that deal as they’re getting a starter-worthy backup for a fraction of the cost.