The New Orleans Saints may officially be ready to enter rebuilding mode. After firing head coach Dennis Allen on Monday, the 2-7 Saints need to continue turning the page.
Will New Orleans sell off any of its assets before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline? Let’s explore the Saints’ top 2024 trade candidates and their best potential destinations.
Who Are the Saints’ NFL Trade Deadline Candidates?
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis knows he’ll get calls from rival NFL executives ahead of the trade deadline. Those inquiries may only intensify now that New Orleans has fired Allen.
“When you’re in a losing streak, you’re calling those teams looking to see if they’re sellers, right, and so we’ll get a number of calls, and we’ll respond accordingly,” Loomis told WWL radio last week before the Saints parted ways with their head coach.
“I’m not really one who thinks that trading away half your roster makes a lot of sense at this point for, generally, what I think are undervalued offers.”
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero cautions against expecting a Saints firesale but notes that Loomis will continue to receive interest. Who could New Orleans trade this week?
Marshon Lattimore, CB
Potential fits: Chiefs, 49ers, Commanders, Ravens, Packers, Bengals, Rams, Cardinals
ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently reported that the Saints have received interest in cornerback Marshon Lattimore. The Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, who have already traded for WR DeAndre Hopkins and EDGE Joshua Uche, are among the teams who could pursue Lattimore.
However, rival clubs are potentially worried about Lattimore’s health, per Schefter. The 28-year-old did not suit up for Week 9 while battling a hamstring injury.
Teams may need to feel comfortable with Lattimore’s physical state before executing a trade. Yet, he’s earning just $1.21 million this season, so an acquiring team would only be on the hook for roughly half of that total.
Tyrann Mathieu, S
Potential fits: Jets, Ravens, Texans, Commanders
The Saints extended Tyrann Mathieu on a two-year, $13.75 million contract in March, but that deal was more of a restructure than a genuine extension. Mathieu is 32 years old and won’t be a part of New Orleans’ next long-term corps.
New Orleans probably wouldn’t get more than a late-round pick swap for Mathieu. Still, a contending team like the New York Jets — battling injuries to safeties Chuck Clark, Tony Adams, and Ashytn Davis — could be interested in the veteran defensive back.
Chase Young and Cameron Jordan, EDGE
Potential fits: Lions, 49ers, Falcons, Buccaneers, Eagles, Commanders, Bengals, Ravens, Cardinals
Chase Young is no stranger to being moved at the NFL trade deadline. The Washington Commanders traded the former No. 2 overall pick at this time a year ago, sending him to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a third-round pick.
Young only has two sacks for the Saints in 2024, but his 12.6% pressure rate is just a tick below where he was for the 49ers during the second half of last season. He’s producing more pressure than Maxx Crosby (12.4%) or Kyle Van Noy (12.3%), each of whom has 6+ sacks.
NO fire the slot defender so Chase Young is initially stunting inside. Quickly sees run and doesn't take himself too far upfield. Fights to take back space and get to the back. Smart, physical play pic.twitter.com/6n1uIxMLHm
— Derrik Klassen (@QBKlass) September 23, 2024
Young is 25 and a pending free agent. Cameron Jordan, meanwhile, is 35 and has a guaranteed salary remaining on his contract into 2025. He’ll be a much tougher sell as a trade candidate.
Jordan’s 5.4% pass-rush win rate ranks 109th among 125 qualified edge defenders this season. If he weren’t such a franchise stalwart in New Orleans, he might’ve been cut by now.
Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd, DT
Potential fits: 49ers, Cardinals, Vikings, Jets, Bills, Commanders, Texans, Bengals
Plenty of teams could use defensive tackle reinforcements before Tuesday’s deadline. Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd could be affordable options if the Saints are willing to move them.
Saunders is due roughly $1.7 million over the rest of the season. Any team that trades for him would also hold a de facto 2025 option worth $4 million.
Shepherd would be a bit cheaper than Saunders this season. He could be a viable contributor for a defense that needs one more pocket pusher along the interior.
Juwan Johnson, TE
Potential fits: Colts, Eagles, Packers, Seahawks
With Rashid Shaheed (meniscus) out for the season and Chris Olave going down in a scary Week 9 collision, the Saints may be inclined to hold on to their remaining offensive weapons.
Still, tight end Juwan Johnson would make sense as a trade candidate. New Orleans already has Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau to play the position, while Johnson is scheduled to reach free agency next offseason.
The Indianapolis Colts are in win-now mode after benching Anthony Richardson for Joe Flacco. Giving the veteran QB another pass catcher could be on the table. The Philadelphia Eagles, currently missing TE Dallas Goedert (hamstring), are another possibility.