We’re less than a week out from the NFL trade deadline on Oct. 31, and the New Orleans Saints aren’t exactly set up for a fire sale. The only players they could trade and save more than $2 million right now would be Cameron Jordan (who just signed an extension this summer) and James Hurst (who is their starter at left tackle, and whose ankle injury prohibits any trade anyway).
So trading players for immediate salary cap relief is off the table. That’s not to say the Saints couldn’t have other motivations in being sellers at the deadline. They could trade veteran players in hopes of opening more snaps for inexperienced teammates, or thinning out their list of pending free agents in 2024. But just because they could do something doesn’t mean they should. Here are the arguments for and against trading these four candidates:
Marcus Maye
Why the Saints should trade him: Rookie safety Jordan Howden filled in very well for Maye during his suspension, and he’s earned more reps than he’ll get as the dime defensive back. Getting more looks for Howden would be good for his long-term development as a starter to take over as other defenders age out in the secondary. Maye also has a salary cap hit north of $9.9 million next season, and the team will need to make a decision on his contract one way or another. Trading him now saves a lot of money and brings some value back as opposed to releasing him for nothing in the spring.
Why the Saints should not trade him: No team has enough defensive backs, and fewer teams have experienced pros they can rely on like Maye. Plus it’s unlikely they would get any valuable trade assets back. The Tennessee Titans just traded Kevin Byard to the Philadelphia Eagles for a player (Terrell Edmunds) and two late-round draft picks, and Byard is a significantly better player. The Saints could probably get a sixth-round pick for Maye at best. If they’re comfortable managing his contract in another way next season, they should just hold onto him.
DT Malcolm Roach
Why the Saints should trade him: Roach might be the team’s most notable pending free agent after the season ends; it’s tough to imagine big paydays are in store for guys like Andrus Peat and Zack Baun. He’s developed really well in the rotation at defensive tackle and currently leads the position in tackles within 2 yards of the line of scrimmage (14). He’s impactful against the run and the pass and would help many units around the league. Maybe another team would be willing to spend a mid-round pick so they could get out in front of the free agent frenzy. Roach is outplaying his former teammate Shy Tuttle, who signed a three-year, $19.5 million deal with the Carolina Panthers back in March.
Why the Saints should not trade him: This would be hustling backwards. The Saints have spent a lot of time coaching Roach up, and right now he’s a productive player at a position they’re kind of thin at; he and Bryan Bresee are making more splash plays than their veteran teammates, and moving Roach wouldn’t shake up that group in a positive way. Bresee has been limited to passing downs in recent weeks due to his struggles anchoring in run defense, and it’s clear the Saints have a vision for how this group should work together. It’s tough to believe another team could make a shakeup worth their while.
LB Zack Baun
Why the Saints should trade him: Baun hasn’t been a good scheme fit in New Orleans; he excelled as a pass rusher in college but their plan from his first day in the building was to drop him back into coverage and guard tight ends or running backs sliding out of the backfield. That hasn’t worked well enough to continue, especially if another team comes calling with a better vision for his talents. Baun will be a free agent in a few months anyway so it could be better for the Saints to trade him now and get something rather than nothing. He may have greater appeal for his work on special teams; Baun has led the Saints in snaps in the kicking game in two of their last three seasons.
Why the Saints should not trade him: Is it worth trading your top special teams player and third linebacker for a sixth or seventh rounder? Probably not, especially when the salary cap impact is negligible. Baun is playing well enough in his role (though it’s really, really difficult to not hold his fumble on an interception return against him) to where he should play out his contract with New Orleans. The Saints are likely leaving some meat on the bone by not letting him rush the passer more often but Dennis Allen isn’t going to suddenly shift gears in Baun’s fourth season in this defense. Let him test free agency and see if you can get a decent compensatory draft pick.
QB Jameis Winston
Why the Saints should trade him: Injuries are hitting quarterback rooms around the league hard — the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears, and Indianapolis Colts all either started backups in Week 7 or had to play them due to sudden injury, and Winston would be an upgrade to at least a few of those teams. He isn’t getting many snaps in New Orleans and won’t get an opportunity unless Derek Carr misses extensive time with an injury, too. He’ll be a free agent in the spring so it could be worth exploring other options for him. Plus, his departure would open much-needed reps in practice for rookie quarterback Jake Haener.
Why the Saints should not trade him: What would the Saints get back in a trade — maybe a fifth rounder? A sixth- or seventh-round pick is more likely. Winston has tested free agency in recent years and found a lukewarm reception. Teams have had opportunities to sign him and chose to go in other directions. It’s worth rostering a backup with as much pro experience as him, even at his price. As is becoming a theme here, it’s unlikely another team would make a compelling offer to convince the Saints to part ways with Winston. They’re probably better off holding onto him.
