NFL Rumors: Saints thought about trading for top pick in draft
By Jason Parker
The New Orleans Saints reportedly had discussions about trading for the top pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, which beings Thursday.
In just two days, the first pick of the 2016 NFL Draft will be announced by commissioner Roger Goodell from a stage in Chicago. The Los Angeles Rams are on the clock and will likely select one of the two top quarterbacks in this year’s draft, Jared Goff or Carson Wentz.
As it turns out, it could have been the New Orleans Saints who instead were making one of them the top pick this year. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport tweeted out a not that the Saints were having talks about trading up for the top pick with its original holder, the Tennessee Titans:
As storylines develop for Thursday, one to keep in mind: The #Saints had talks about moving up to No. 1 for a QB. Will they do it for Lynch?
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 26, 2016
Reportedly, the Saints ended up believing the move would be too costly and decided not to make a trade, opening the door for the Rams to come in and make a move to get that top spot.
Barring no trades before Thursday, the Saints have the 12th pick in the first round which would put them in a position to take a different quarterback (former Memphis QB Paxton Lynch) in that spot if they choose to go with a signal caller. The team may still attempt to make a move into the top 10 if they feel another team is thinking about taking Lynch.
The Saints’ current starting quarterback, Drew Brees, is entering the final year of his contract (which will pay him just under $20 million in base salary alone this season). He will turn 38 years old just two weeks after the 2016 regular season is completed, so New Orleans may start looking elsewhere.
For more NFL Draft news, check out our NFL Draft hub page.