3 trades Saints have to make to avoid being playoff pretenders
By Joe Romano
1. Allen Robinson for a 2023 2nd Round Pick and a 2022 4th Round Pick
The final deal, a swing for the fences type move, would be one that all New Orleans fans would love to see; trading for Allen Robinson. With their own star receiver, Michael Thomas, still not practicing, New Orleans could grab another star to add much-needed talent to their receiver room.
Playing on the franchise tag, Robinson was not happy with the Bears’ reluctance to give him a long-term deal. Now, with a rookie quarterback under center, Robinson’s stats have plummeted. The former Pro Bowler has seen double-digit targets in only one game this season (Week 1). Chicago does not look likely to pay Robinson this off-season, so why not grab some high draft picks for him rather than wait for the compensatory picks in 2023.
On the field, Robinson is the type of go-up-and-get-it type player that Winston has loved in the past (*see Mike Evans*). Giving him a receiver that can win in contested-catch situations will be very helpful to Winston continuing to play mistake-free football.
Even when Thomas does return, the relationship between him and the team may be untenable. One thing that typically smooths these things over is winning. Robinson and Thomas would be an elite duo on par with the league’s best. Their complementary skill sets on the outside, with Kamara winning in short areas, in Sean Payton’s dynamic offense would give defensive coordinators nightmares.