The door was always open for Cam Jordan to return to the New Orleans Saints no matter what they did in the NFL Draft. It was unlikely for the Saints to make the requisite moves in the draft to make retaining Jordan not a priority. After three days of action, the only edge rusher they acquired was Tyree Wilson via trade. The trade has zero bearing on Jordan's return.
Wilson is a former first round pick, but he can't be judged by his draft position after three years in the league. His draft status makes you wonder if his ceiling is still in reach, but Wilson's production to start his career will have him in a rotational role for the Saints. Though there's hope of seeing top-10 version of Wilson, he can't be seen as anything more than a rotational rusher until outplays the role.
Bringing in Wilson with hopes he can surpass his career high 4.5 sacks is a good move for what it is. It wouldn't threaten Jordan's role, however. Drafting a prospect in the first two rounds could have sent a different message. The room is currently highlighted by Chase Young, Wilson and Carl Granderson. The fit for Jordan in that room is clear and equally as appealing.
Drafting a high edge rusher could have made Cam Jordan question returning to the Saints
Mickey Loomis said it before the draft. What the Saints do impacts how they view players like Jordan, but it also impacts how Jordan feels about the Saints. The Saints saying they didn't want to bring back Jordan never felt like a likely or sensible stance to take throughout the offseason.
Jordan is coming off a 10 sack season. Even if it doesn't feel sustainable, he is one of two reliable players at the position next to Chase Young. Not just any position, it's a premier position. The need was there. After the draft, it's even more glaring.
The question has always been, and still it, how does Jordan feel about the Saints. If they drafted a premium edge rusher early in the draft, Jordan could have felt like his role was set to be diminished. Jordan testing the free agency market put the Saints in a position to need multiple edge rushers regardless.
Carl Granderson has been consistently inconsistent throughout his career. His season has noticeable highs that have you excited for what he could be and dry spells that strip away confidence in him to produce through the entirety of a season. It's happened frequently enough to say the duality is the true representation of the player. He's best in a third pass rusher role.
That keeps Jordan in a position to be the second pass rusher on the team. He was the second best on the team a year ago despite playing less snaps than Granderson. Jordan being able to stay in the role, at minimum, and keep stacking sacks could be an important, extra incentive to the legend remaining with the team that drafted him.
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