Why Should the Saints Be Careful Selling at the Trade Deadline?
The New Orleans Saints find themselves in a difficult position this season, sitting at 1-6 and facing growing pressure to make moves before the trade deadline. In most cases, a team with that record would sell off assets to collect draft picks and begin preparing for the future. The strategy makes sense on paper, as gaining draft capital can accelerate a rebuild or retool. However, the Saints’ situation is different from most struggling teams because their draft capital is already limited. They hold only five picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, having already traded away some middle-and late-round selections in previous deals.
This shortage of draft picks means the Saints need to be especially cautious about who they decide to move. Many of their veteran cornerstones, such as Alvin Kamara, Demario Davis, and Cameron Jordan, are unlikely to leave New Orleans and have shown no interest in doing so. These players remain the emotional and cultural leaders of the team, even as their best years may be behind them. The real challenge lies with younger veterans who still have productive years ahead, such as Carl Granderson, Alontae Taylor, Chris Olave, and Rashid Shaheed. Other teams will undoubtedly be calling about these players, but the Saints must resist trading them unless the return is too valuable to refuse.
The younger core of the roster represents the future foundation of the Saints, and moving them too soon could do more harm than good. These players might not yet be superstars, but they are solid, productive contributors who make the team competitive each week. Finding players of similar value through the draft is never guaranteed, especially when the Saints lack draft depth. If the front office trades away these pieces for mid-round picks, the team risks losing both on-field production and locker-room stability. Maintaining a balance between rebuilding and retaining capable talent is essential for the Saints to avoid falling into a long-term slump.
It’s understandable for fans to call for a rebuild when the season is going poorly, yet selling for the sake of selling can set a franchise back even further. A proper rebuild only works when a team has the assets, draft picks, and developmental pipeline to replace what is lost. The Saints simply aren’t in that position right now, and trading away reliable young players without clear replacements would only extend their recovery timeline. The organization must take a patient and strategic approach, focusing on maximizing value rather than making reactionary decisions. If New Orleans can stay disciplined and make only the right moves, it will be in a much stronger position to retool efficiently and compete again sooner rather than later.
