Other than trading Davon Godchaux to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2028 sixth round pick that could become a 2027 sixth round pick under certain circumstances, the New Orleans Saints were inactive at the trade deadline. There was a conversation on whether the Saints should be buyers or sellers at the deadline, and they made the correct decision to be neither.
Dealing Godchaux was a small move, and the compensation reflected that. When posing the question of how the Saints should operate at the deadline, eyes were on bigger fish like Cesar Ruiz and Pete Werner or players who could bring in real value, but would be tough to part with, like Carl Granderson and Chase Young.
The Saints also could have tried to bolster their team at the deadline with a defensive player. This wouldn't have to be a big grab, but they have a few positions of need on that side of the ball after ignoring the defense for most of the offseason.
Saints aren't in the position to buy or sell
The argument for each approach is simple and can be compelling, but that's exactly why the Saints were smart not to make a move. The Saints aren't close to being real competitors, so they should sell some pieces to build for the future. The question with that approach is how far does it go.
Is it a complete tear down where they do sell players like Young and Granderson in order to get the highest return? Is everyone on the table other than Tyler Shough and players on rookie contracts?
That feels a bit extreme. The team isn't a true contender, but they don't feel so far removed from becoming one that you rip everything to shreds two years into Shough's career.
The Saints are also in range for a divisional title, and that could be a frustrating explanation for a lot when the offseason rolls around. It could have prompted them to be more aggressive and look for a player that could have gotten them over the NFC South hump this year.
The Saints are too close to a playoff spot to sell everything, but too far from true contention to sell out for a move to take them over the top. It's a weird place of limbo, so staying put was the wisest choice.
They could have moved a guy like Pete Werner because they have Danny Stutsman, but that's the only kind of moves that would have made sense. Pretty specific, it makes sense why they opted not to do anything at all. Also, remember players like Werner, Ruiz and Justin Reid are under contract for next year so they could still be traded this offseason.
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