The New Orleans Saints are projected to be big sellers at the trade deadline. That's just life when you sit with one win at the midpoint of the season. Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave are popular names being thrown around. One of the players tossed into the mix is offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz.
Earlier this week, it was reported that the Saints would trade Ruiz for the right price. If we're being honest, that could be said about anyone on the team. There aren't any untouchables. However, putting Ruiz's name out there specifically was interesting.
The Seattle Seahawks are a team that jumps to the forefront. Klint Kubiak is their offensive coordinator. Maybe he wants Ruiz to join him in Seattle after coaching him in New Orleans last year. Seahawks reporter Corbin Smith did some digging, and let's just say Ruiz is more than likely staying put.
Cesar Ruiz isn't going anywhere and you can thank the Saints' asking price for that
When a lot of fans saw that Ruiz was on the trade block "for the right price." their definition of the right price was probably whatever someone is willing to give us. Ruiz has been the bane of Saints fans' existence for a few seasons, so anyone grabbing Ruiz would be exciting.
The Saints, however, don't have the same standard of the right price, and their price is really high. Smith's sources say the Saints are looking for third round pick and a late Day 3 pick to deal Ruiz. That is a lot of compensation for a player who has been largely disappointing.
The price is so high that it feels far fetched that a team would pay that. I'm sure most Saints fans would be satisfied with that trade. One thing that was fascinating about Smith's report is he said the Saints like their younger options at the position.
That is a direct reflection of undrafted free agent Torricelli Simpkins. Simpkins and Xavier Truss are the only interior linemen younger than Ruiz. Simpkins has seen much more time in preseason and regular season. Seeing potential in him would explain being content dealing Ruiz. It would create a hole at starting guard. It's the last thing you want with Erik McCoy out for the season, but an undeniable offer is an undeniable offer.
Don't get your hopes up though. With the price the Saints are looking for, it feels most likely that Ruiz will be on this team when Wednesday rolls around.