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New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis did not shoot down the idea that he would trade down in the 2019 NFL Draft later this week.
Josh Katzenstein of the Times-Picayune in New Orleans conveyed the news:
Mickey Loomis: "We’d be open to trading back if the timing is right and if the value is right."
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) April 22, 2019
The Saints have knocked on the door in each of the last two seasons, coming excruciatingly close to huge playoff wins but getting punched in the gut at the very end. In the 2017 season, the Saints were felled by the Minneapolis Miracle, Case Keenum's improbable touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs in the divisional round against the Minnesota Vikings. Last season, the Saints were jobbed by one of the most appalling no-calls in NFL history, the non-call for defensive pass interference against the Los Angeles Rams and Nickell Robey-Coleman late in the NFC Championship Game.
Mickey Loomis and the Saints have an obvious choice to make: Having come so close to the Super Bowl in consecutive seasons, should they try to land the “one big piece” which will put them over the top, or should they try to stockpile picks and give themselves more chances to get good players?
The latter answer, focused more on depth and less on an elite game-changer, probably makes more sense from the Saints' viewpoint. Loomis and New Orleans changed their roster just fine with selections outside the first round. Alvin Kamara, a third-round pick, is a perfect example. Michael Thomas was picked at No. 47 in 2016. The Saints don't pick until No. 62 this year, but that hardly prevents them from trading down into the late third round or early fourth round if they want to add picks.
Mickey Loomis and the Saints have six draft picks right now. Trading down to increase their pick allotment to eight or nine might be exactly what this draft requires from New Orleans.
