You can’t replace Michael Thomas; all you can do is bolster the talent in the wide receiver room. However, that’s exactly what the New Orleans Saints should do. After suffering a high ankle sprain late in their Week 1 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, reports surfaced that Thomas will miss several weeks with the injury. However, conflicting reports say Thomas will try to play through the injury, and he has yet to officially be ruled out for Monday night’s matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. With Thomas likely out at least a few weeks, Emmanuel Sanders takes over as the Saints’ top wide receiver.
While Saint fans may want the team to go make a splash move and trade for Odell Beckham Jr. or Allen Robinson, the Saints the draft capital to make such a bold trade. Especially after trading away their 2021 third-round pick in a draft-night deal for Zack Baun. Instead, they need to focus on veteran players who can be acquired for day three draft picks.
Furthermore, according to Over the Cap, the Saints have just $6.4 million in cap space. Even if they could afford to give up multiple high draft picks for Beckham or Robinson, the Saints couldn’t afford to pay them. Instead, the Saints need to target cheap players. Here are five veteran options the Saints should consider trading for.
Golden Tate, New York Giants
Even with their surprisingly impressive play Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Giants’ are looking at another top 10 selection in the 2021 draft. With Sterling Shepard locked up long term and Darius Slayton clearly the team’s top wide receiver, Tate doesn’t fit in the Giants’ long term plans. Tate has been solid throughout his career, including three seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards. The Giants should be willing to part with Tate for a fourth-round pick.
Dede Westbrook, Jacksonville Jaguars
Despite their upset victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, the Jaguars are still heading towards a top-five pick in the 2021 draft. DJ Chark and the rookie Laviska Shenault are the Jaguars’ future at wide receiver. Furthermore, Westbrook was listed with the third-team offense on the team’s Week 1 depth chart and has fallen out of favor in Jacksonville. In a contract year, Westbrook should welcome an opportunity for playing time on a high powered offense. The Jaguars should be willing to part with Westbrook for as cheap as a sixth-round pick.
Marvin Jones, Detroit Lions
The Lions were playing well against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, even without Kenny Golladay, till they collapsed in the fourth quarter. With both Jones and Golladay in contract years, the Lions may decide to move on from Jones this season. The reasoning would be similar to when they traded Tate a few years back. If you’re going to let the player leave in free agency, better to get something for him now than maybe a compensatory pick in two years.
If the Lions determine they can’t afford to re-sign Jones after locking up Golladay long term, they should be willing to trade him this season. The Lions should be willing to part with Jones for a fourth-round pick in 2021 and a conditional day three pick in 2022, depending on if Jones re-signs with the Saints in the offseason.
Josh Reynolds, Los Angeles Rams
With Robert Woods under contract for two more years, combined with Cooper Kupp‘s new extension, and the drafting of Van Jefferson, the writing is on the wall for Reynolds. Playing in the final year of his rookie deal, Reynolds won’t be back with the Rams next season. Much like with the Lions and Jones, the Rams would be wise to move Reynolds now for a draft pick.
While Reynolds hasn’t had much opportunity to play so far in his career, he did produce when Kupp missed eight games in 2018. During the eight-game stretch, Reynolds had 26 catches for 365 yards and five touchdowns. Given a shot at playing time in New Orleans, Reynolds could shine. The Rams should be willing to move Reynolds for a fifth-round pick.
Auden Tate, Cincinnati Bengals
After the Bengals placed the franchise tag on A.J. Green and drafted Tee Higgins with their second-round pick, Tate’s future with the Bengals became cloudy. Despite having a solid second year in the league, with 40 catches for 575 yards and a touchdown, the Bengals did everything in the offseason to suggest they weren’t happy with their wide receiver room. Furthermore, against the Los Angeles Chargers, Tate finished tied for fourth in snaps played, along with Higgins and Mike Thomas, with just 15. Surprisingly, John Ross led the way with an 84 percent snap rate.
At 6’5 and 228 lbs, Tate would offer the Saints a big physical red zone weapon to go opposite of Sanders. Furthermore, he is under contract next season for under $1 million and could become a very valuable weapon for Drew Brees even when Thomas returns. Much like the Giants and Jaguars, the Bengals will be picking early in the 2021 draft. Adding a possible fifth-round pick for a wide receiver clearly not in their future plans would be a smart move to make for the Bengals.
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