New Orleans Saints: Trading for C.J. Henderson will be costly

The New Orleans Saints are reportedly interested in trading for Jaguars cornerback C.J. Henderson. Originally, this report was confusing, as the Saints had signed several cornerbacks in the past few weeks. Fast forward to Tuesday afternoon, however, and it was revealed that Patrick Robinson was planning to retire.

This obviously put the Saints in a difficult situation, as Robinson was projected to start for the Saints in their secondary. Losing an experienced veteran hurts no matter how you spin it but Robinson’s departure is yet another blow to a Saints team that can’t catch a break.

Henderson is an intriguing trade prospect for New Orleans for a variety of reasons. He’s young (turns 23 in September) and has up to four years remaining on his rookie contract should whoever his team is pick up the fifth-year option. Because of this, Henderson won’t come cheap for anyone who is interested in adding the young corner.

It’ll be costly if the New Orleans Saints want to trade for C.J. Henderson.

Henderson, who went ninth overall in last year’s draft, started eight games as a rookie and totaled 36 tackles, six defended passes, and one interception during that time. He’d give the Saints a nice option next to Marshon Lattimore in the secondary and they’d have a young group in their secondary.

Alex Kay of Bleacher Report put together some trade ideas for teams who might be interested in Henderson and for the Saints, the asking price isn’t cheap. Kay has the Saints surrendering next year’s first and third-round selections. In return, New Orleans gets Henderson, of course.

Is this a price the Saints are willing to pay to land the young cornerback? Is it worth surrendering their first and third-round selections for a player whose team is already looking to move on from him?

Let’s be brutally honest here — The Saints aren’t a cornerback away from being a Super Bowl contender this year. Maybe if Drew Brees was still the quarterback of the team and if Michael Thomas was healthy and not peeved at the organization this move could make sense but that’s not the situation in New Orleans right now.

Yes, it’s important to have a good group of cornerbacks but the Saints might finish the season with a top-15 pick in next year’s draft so losing that pick for Henderson isn’t worth it if you ask me.

What do you think, Saints fans? Would you be okay with the team shipping two high draft picks to Jacksonville in exchange for C.J. Henderson?