Bleacher Report argues Saints should make a massive trade with a division rival

The New Orleans Saints will spend the offseason trying to do two things: addressing their cap challenges and improving the roster. It’s hard to simultaneously do both things, but considering the fact that the Saints were a win away from winning the NFC South, despite having an underwhelming season, they should be motivated to get over the hump by any means.

Those means could involve doing business with the enemy. Bleacher Report recently released an offseason trade guide for all 32 teams. The guide listed trade candidates and trade targets for each team, as well as a hypothetical trade. For the Saints, the BR staff made the bold suggestion that New Orleans should send their 2024 first-round pick (14th overall) to the Carolina Panthers for their second-round pick (No. 33), a 2024 and 2025 third-round pick, and cornerback Jaycee Horn.

Should Saints trade their first-round pick to Panthers?

As Bleacher Report highlighted, deals with division rivals are rare. However, desperate times call for desperate measures. Carolina desperately needs a first-round pick in this year’s draft, so it’s fair to assume that it’ll be willing to do business. The question is if this is something New Orleans should consider.

At 14, the Saints aren’t in position to select the top quarterbacks or offensive linemen in the draft. They could still land an elite prospect at 14, but trading back is definitely a conversation worth having; especially if they could land a second-round pick, two third-round picks, and Jaycee Horn.

Horn was the eighth-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and he’s an immensely talented corner. Unfortunately, he has struggled with injuries throughout his young NFL career. In three seasons, he has missed a ton of time because of a fractured foot, a broken wrist, and a hamstring injury. Playing in 20 total games over three seasons, his future is unclear.

Even with the injury history, Horn would be an intriguing player for the Saints to acquire. If the Panthers are interested in offering Horn along with that many early picks, New Orleans should get on the phone with its rival.

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