Marquez Callaway still has value for Saints as trade bait

Saints wide receiver Marquez Callaway could still be dealt sometime this season for the right price, and NOLA can afford to lose him.

The Saints' offense has failed to live up to expectations so far in 2022, and after this season the franchise may be inclined to launch a complete rebuild. Rather than wait for Callaway's stock to drop, he serves as a valuable trade asset right now as a handful of teams are dealing with receiver injuries.

The Los Angeles Chargers, for example, are crossing their fingers that Keenan Allen can stay healthy for the rest of the year after suffering a hamstring injury, and Jalen Guyton just recently tore his ACL.

Callaway sits firmly as Michael Thomas' backup in 2022, and even though Thomas himself is nursing a toe issue, the Saints don't expect it to be long-lasting or serious. Thomas, Jarvis Landry, and Chris Olave remain the team's top three wideouts, and the wideout depth chart likely won't change much throughout the year.

That being said, Callaway offers starting potential to a host of NFL teams, especially after this impressive one-handed touchdown grab in Week 3.

Marquez Callaway is a potential trade candidate for the Saints in 2022

Given the Saints' lack of valuable draft capital in 2023, NOLA will need all the picks it can get.

Callaway, a formerly undrafted player, recorded career-highs in his second season in New Orleans in 2021, posting 46 catches for 698 yards and six touchdowns.

He was without a doubt the Saints' most dangerous offensive weapon last year (though that's not saying much) and could find a new home in 2022 where he can play more minutes.

The Chargers present the most obvious option, but the New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals could also be in the market for starting-caliber healthy pass-catchers for this season.

We don't expect the Saints to aggressively try to deal Callaway away right now; Michael Thomas is still a bit of liability considering his injury history, so Callaway does add value as an insurance piece.

Yet the Saints shouldn't immediately turn interested suitors away if a team comes knocking at their door. Callaway is an underpriced gem, and for the right price, it may be in NOLA's and Callaway's best interest to part ways sooner rather than later.