The New Orleans Saints reportedly showed interest in trading for Chicago Bears defensive lineman Gervonta Dexter, but their pursuit ultimately ended with NFC South rival Atlanta Falcons landing the former second-round pick. Atlanta acquired him in exchange for cornerback Clark Phillips and a fifth-round pick. Dexter is coming off a career six-sack season and has recorded 13.5 sacks through his first three years.
For New Orleans, the missed opportunity is especially notable because the Saints could use more of a presence on the interior of their defensive line after losing Bryan Bresee for the season. Dexter could have provided a young, proven presence alongside the team’s current defensive tackles. Instead, the Saints will now have to watch him suit up for one of their biggest division rivals.
Ultimately, the Saints reported interest in Dexter is another indication that the squad isn’t completely satisfied with its current depth along the interior defensive line. That should be encouraging for Saints fans, as it shows the team is actively evaluating ways to improve its interior depth and will likely continue exploring potential additions.
New Orleans Saints may not be finished making moves after roster cuts
The New Orleans Saints will likely keep a close eye on the waiver wire now that roster cuts are finalized. With teams forced to trim their rosters, New Orleans could find a player who was unable to crack another teams final roster but could provide valuable depth in its rotation.
The waiver wire could give the Saints an opportunity to add a player with NFL experience without giving up draft capital, making it an appealing route to take. The Saints will likely evaluate every available option and decide whether someone on the open market can bolster the position heading into the regular season.
The Saints could also turn to the trade market in search of an immediate-impact player who can step into the rotation and contribute at a high level right away. Rather than relying soley on an unproven option from the waiver wire, New Orleans could target an established interior defensive lineman who can provide more stability and experience from the moment he arrives.
Ultimately the Saints don’t have to make a splashy move to address the position. Finding a dependable veteran or young player with upside through the waiver wire, free agency or a trade could be enough to strengthen the rotation and give New Orleans more insurance heading into the regular season. Even a smaller addition could go a long way toward giving the defense some much needed depth up front.
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