3 trade partners that make sense for Seahawks in first round of 2022 NFL draft
By Lee Vowell
New Orleans Saints
The Saints made a huge trade with the Eagles to pick up a second first-round choice so New Orleans currently has picks 16 and 19 in this year’s first round. There is something they want, obviously, and like Minnesota, that is likely a quarterback.
New Orleans has a new head coach, Dennis Allen, but unlike former coach Sean Payton, Allen is defensive-minded. It is probably that the Saints want to transition from a team that leads from an offensive standpoint to a defensive one because, frankly, the Saints have been better on defense than offense lately.
Since the Saints have two first-round choices this year, they probably won’t be afraid to lose one of them if they do want to trade up to get their quarterback of the future, though. Winning with defense is great but you need an offense, especially a quarterback, who can score points and not turn the ball over.
Pickett, if he is still around at pick 9, would be an extremely wise choice for the Saints. He secures the ball, has a great arm, and his small hand size will be less important in a domed stadium like the Saints have.
Seattle would keep a relatively decent first-round slot spot but pick up another second-rounder and have four picks in the top 49.