As the New Orleans Saints look ahead to the offseason, they find themselves in a situation where roster changes are all but inevitable. Coming off a disappointing 2023 season, the Saints are facing a crossroads, particularly when it comes to their defense. With the defense still being the team’s primary strength, questions are swirling around how the Saints will manage their defensive backfield, which remains one of the deepest and most talented units on the roster. Bleacher Report recently predicted that the Saints could be poised to trade another defensive back in the upcoming offseason, following the successful trade of veteran cornerback Marcus Peters in 2022. This speculation raises some interesting questions: Which player could be on the move? Why would the Saints choose to trade a key member of their secondary? And what impact could this have on the team moving forward?
### The State of the Saints’ Secondary
First, it’s important to recognize just how strong the Saints’ defensive backfield is. The team has a rich history of developing top-tier talent in the secondary, and in 2023, that trend continued. Players like Marshon Lattimore, Tyrann Mathieu, and rookie Brian Branch are all capable of shutting down top receivers and playing critical roles in one of the league’s most solid defenses. However, with talent comes a challenging financial situation.
The Saints are one of the most cap-strapped teams in the NFL, consistently having to maneuver around a tight salary cap. This has often resulted in tough decisions, including trades, restructures, and player releases, in order to manage their books while trying to remain competitive. The defensive backfield, which is arguably one of the most expensive parts of their roster, presents the front office with one of the most difficult decisions.
Lattimore, who has emerged as the undisputed top cornerback, is locked into a long-term deal, and the team may prefer to keep him around as the cornerstone of their defense. Meanwhile, players like Paulson Adebo and rookie Alontae Taylor have also shown promise. The key question is whether the team will look to cash in on some of this talent to gain cap relief or trade a player for value to further bolster their roster for the future.
### Potential Candidates for a Trade
Bleacher Report’s prediction isn’t entirely without merit. The Saints have a history of trading defensive backs for value, and there are several players in their secondary who could potentially be on the trading block this offseason. Let’s take a look at the most likely candidates.
#### 1. **Marshon Lattimore**
While Lattimore is a cornerstone player, he’s not entirely untouchable. A trade involving Lattimore would be a major move, one that would likely signal a full-scale rebuild for the Saints. However, his contract, which includes significant guaranteed money, could present some trade opportunities if a team in need of a No. 1 cornerback were willing to take on that financial burden.
For the Saints, trading Lattimore would likely involve a substantial return in draft picks or young talent, which could be used to address other areas of need on the roster. However, trading a star player like Lattimore would also send a message that the team is shifting gears, potentially toward a rebuilding phase.
#### 2. **Marcus Maye**
One player who could be on the move is safety Marcus Maye. Acquired by the Saints in 2022 to help solidify their safety position, Maye has had an up-and-down tenure in New Orleans. While he has flashed moments of brilliance, injuries and inconsistency have marred his time with the team. The Saints are already invested in Tyrann Mathieu, and the addition of rookie safety Brian Branch further crowds an already stacked defensive backfield.
Trading Maye would open up cap space and allow the Saints to potentially recoup a valuable draft pick or even a mid-tier player to address other areas. Given Maye’s solid reputation around the league, he could appeal to teams in need of veteran safety help.
#### 3. **Paulson Adebo**
One of the more likely candidates to be traded is cornerback Paulson Adebo. Adebo has shown flashes of excellence, but his inconsistency at times has raised doubts about his long-term future with the team. With Lattimore entrenched as the top cornerback and the emergence of players like Alontae Taylor, Adebo might be viewed as expendable.
Adebo’s trade value could be significant, especially given his age and potential. Teams looking for a young, talented cornerback could be willing to offer a solid return in draft picks or players. For the Saints, moving on from Adebo would be a tough decision but could be necessary in order to improve the team in other areas.
#### 4. **Alontae Taylor**
Although Alontae Taylor is still early in his career, he’s been a standout performer for the Saints since being drafted. While the Saints might be loath to part with a promising young player like Taylor, if a team were to offer a strong package of draft picks or another young talent in return, it could be tempting for New Orleans to consider a trade.
Taylor’s position on the depth chart and the increasing talent in the Saints’ defensive backfield could make him a trade candidate if the front office wants to maximize the team’s assets and improve its overall roster.
### Why Trade a Defensive Back?
Trading away one of the Saints’ defensive backs might seem counterintuitive given the importance of secondary play in today’s NFL. However, there are a few reasons why the team might entertain such a move.
#### 1. **Cap Relief**
As mentioned earlier, the Saints are one of the NFL’s most cap-strapped teams. With the league’s salary cap set to increase in 2024, the Saints may need to make moves to create financial flexibility. Trading a player from a high-value position, like cornerback or safety, could help the team free up cap space to sign key free agents or extend current players who are core pieces of the team.
#### 2. **Depth in the Secondary**
The Saints’ defensive backfield is incredibly deep, and with younger players like Taylor and Branch emerging, the team may feel confident in its ability to withstand the loss of a veteran player. If the right offer comes along, trading one of these players could make sense in terms of maximizing depth and focusing resources on other areas of need.
#### 3. **Value for Youth**
The NFL is increasingly a league that values younger players with upside. Trading a veteran defensive back for draft capital could allow the Saints to acquire younger talent, including future picks that could be used to build for the long term.
### Conclusion: What This Means for the Saints
The prediction that the Saints will trade another defensive back this offseason speaks to the challenging position the team finds itself in as it prepares for the future. While the Saints’ defense remains one of the team’s strongest assets, financial constraints, depth in the secondary, and the need for cap flexibility could all contribute to a trade. Whether it’s Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, Marcus Maye, or another defensive back, the front office will have some difficult decisions to make.
As the Saints continue to refine their roster and set their sights on a brighter future, a trade could ultimately serve as a catalyst for improving the team’s chances of competing at a high level in the NFC. While fans may be hesitant to see a talented defensive back leave, the trade could be the first of many moves that reshape the team’s long-term strategy. The offseason promises to be an exciting and pivotal time for the New Orleans Saints as they work to position themselves for success in 2024 and beyond.