Even though the New Orleans Saints have mostly looked a bit pluckier than many expected, the 1-6 team is firmly in seller territory in the first year of Kellen Moore's rebuild process. Regrettably, this could lead to many of their best skill position players getting booted out of town.
Even though the Saints have one of the worst wide receiver rooms in the NFL, both Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed have put together enough terrific plays on tape to sustain interest from some of the best teams around the NFL.
Jordan Schultz is now reporting that both Olave and Shaheed, both of whom are in line to be free agents at the end of this season, are being monitored by contending teams. Even amid some up-and-down play from Spencer Rattler, Moore's offense has gotten good production out of them.
While it may sting for Saints fans to lose some proven players like this, there is a world where the continued tearing down of this roster leads both of these receivers to swap the fleur-de-lis on their helmets for situations that are more conducive to winning.
Saints WRs Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed listed as trade targets by Jordan Schultz
Olave would certainly fetch more in a trade, but it seems weird for a team that is clearly building with an eye on the future to take one of their best long-term assets and turn him into draft picks that will likely be used on an inferior replacement. He's someone New Orleans needs to hold on to.
Shaheed, on the other hand, is the type of speedy deep threat that could give a team lacking in explosion the separator they need to be a bit more vertical. His skillset makes him a bit of a one-trick pony, but he is so effective at that trick that he could command a fairly healthy trade market.
With Alvin Kamara saying he would rather retire than look to play somewhere other than New Orleans, look for the Saints to make a few trades involving the defensive side of the ball. Demario Davis may want to chase a Super Bowl ring, while cornerback Alontae Taylor and pass rusher Carl Granderson may have some value.
New Orleans shouldn't turn down an offer for Olave or Shaheed if they find a way to milk some premium picks out of the deal, but they also should avoid selling for the sake of selling.