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Saints should pounce after Cardinals put LB Jordan Hicks on the trade block
Posted on 5/12/21 at 9:11 am
Posted on 5/12/21 at 9:11 am
**This isn't my opinion. It's a SaintsWire article.**
LINK
Well that’s interesting. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Arizona Cardinals are exploring potential trades for starting middle linebacker Jordan Hicks, having drafted his replacement in the first round — Tulsa prospect Zaven Collins. Hicks recently restructured his contract and could remain in Arizona as a backup, but he’s a starting-quality option at an affordable rate: any team that acquires him in a trade owes him just a $2 million base salary and $3 million in incentives for the 2021 season.
That fits the Saints’ budget, even though they haven’t signed their draft class yet. That’s not an issue considering contract values are tied to draft slots under the new collective bargaining agreement, and the Saints can free up more funds in a hurry by hammering out extensions with highly-paid stars in the final years of their current deals like Marcus Williams, Ryan Ramczyk, Marshon Lattimore, and Terron Armstead.
But let’s circle back to Hicks. The 6-foot-1, 236 pound 28-year old fits New Orleans’ prototypes for size and speed, with the impressive three-cone time the Saints value (and, yes, he has a terrific Relative Athletic Score). He’s been a productive pro for the Cardinals after four years with the Philadelphia Eagles and could solidify a weak spot in New Orleans next to Demario Davis.
While Pete Werner was drafted in the second round and is probably the Saints’ most pro-ready rookie, he’s expected to play often on special teams and could compete with Hicks to start next to Demario Davis. The Saints lost Alex Anzalone in free agency and still haven’t re-signed Craig Robertson, who led the team in snaps played in the kicking game as their special teams captain.
It doesn’t appear last year’s draft pick Zack Baun is any closer to pushing for starter’s snaps in New Orleans’ two-linebacker defensive look (they ran just 88 plays with three or more linebackers on the field last year, out of nearly 1,000 reps), and their 2020 midseason trade pickup Kwon Alexander is still recovering from Achilles surgery.
So adding Hicks makes sense, both financially and given the state of the depth chart. It will depend on whether the Saints can cut a deal with Arizona; New Orleans finally has a wealth of draft picks in 2022 to work with, not counting their compensatory picks for Trey Hendrickson and Sheldon Rankins. If they could flip a fifth or fourth rounder for Hicks, there’s little reason not to.
LINK
Well that’s interesting. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Arizona Cardinals are exploring potential trades for starting middle linebacker Jordan Hicks, having drafted his replacement in the first round — Tulsa prospect Zaven Collins. Hicks recently restructured his contract and could remain in Arizona as a backup, but he’s a starting-quality option at an affordable rate: any team that acquires him in a trade owes him just a $2 million base salary and $3 million in incentives for the 2021 season.
That fits the Saints’ budget, even though they haven’t signed their draft class yet. That’s not an issue considering contract values are tied to draft slots under the new collective bargaining agreement, and the Saints can free up more funds in a hurry by hammering out extensions with highly-paid stars in the final years of their current deals like Marcus Williams, Ryan Ramczyk, Marshon Lattimore, and Terron Armstead.
But let’s circle back to Hicks. The 6-foot-1, 236 pound 28-year old fits New Orleans’ prototypes for size and speed, with the impressive three-cone time the Saints value (and, yes, he has a terrific Relative Athletic Score). He’s been a productive pro for the Cardinals after four years with the Philadelphia Eagles and could solidify a weak spot in New Orleans next to Demario Davis.
While Pete Werner was drafted in the second round and is probably the Saints’ most pro-ready rookie, he’s expected to play often on special teams and could compete with Hicks to start next to Demario Davis. The Saints lost Alex Anzalone in free agency and still haven’t re-signed Craig Robertson, who led the team in snaps played in the kicking game as their special teams captain.
It doesn’t appear last year’s draft pick Zack Baun is any closer to pushing for starter’s snaps in New Orleans’ two-linebacker defensive look (they ran just 88 plays with three or more linebackers on the field last year, out of nearly 1,000 reps), and their 2020 midseason trade pickup Kwon Alexander is still recovering from Achilles surgery.
So adding Hicks makes sense, both financially and given the state of the depth chart. It will depend on whether the Saints can cut a deal with Arizona; New Orleans finally has a wealth of draft picks in 2022 to work with, not counting their compensatory picks for Trey Hendrickson and Sheldon Rankins. If they could flip a fifth or fourth rounder for Hicks, there’s little reason not to.
Posted on 5/12/21 at 9:16 am to GMoney2600
Depending on what the asking price is, I could definitely get on board with this.
Posted on 5/12/21 at 9:18 am to GMoney2600
We do better getting our LBs via trade than the draft. Sign me up.
Posted on 5/12/21 at 9:22 am to GMoney2600
we've given up substantial compensation for Werner and Baun. These dudes have to come through IMO. Hicks better be a substantial upgrade for me to consider it, but if he's a substantial upgrade to Werner then i feel like we're getting off on a bad foot. Saints also like Elliss and Hansen a lot. There's a few other LB's we have as well.
Posted on 5/12/21 at 9:28 am to GMoney2600
we absolutely should. no brainer.
which means we most likely won't. CSP gotta prove he's the smartest guy in the room.
which means we most likely won't. CSP gotta prove he's the smartest guy in the room.
Posted on 5/12/21 at 9:44 am to WB504
Yeah but he's from Arizona, not the Jets
Posted on 5/12/21 at 10:22 am to sportsfan
I'm surprised the saints didn't try and sign antwuan woods. He's a dt.
The colts just signed him to a 1 year deal for nothing.
I wouldn't invest anything over a 5th rounder. I do like the player
The colts just signed him to a 1 year deal for nothing.
I wouldn't invest anything over a 5th rounder. I do like the player
This post was edited on 5/12/21 at 10:28 am
Posted on 5/12/21 at 10:30 am to GMoney2600
better save that money for a DT
Posted on 5/12/21 at 10:33 am to Chalkywhite84
quote:Can't imagine they are able to get much more than a conditional 6th or 7th.
I'm surprised the saints didn't try and sign antwuan woods. He's a dt.
The colts just signed him to a 1 year deal for nothing.
I wouldn't invest anything over a 5th rounder. I do like the player
Posted on 5/12/21 at 10:41 am to GMoney2600
As others have said, depends on the asking price. But, I have to ask:
How would anyone know this? They have not had any form of organized activities to see where Baun stands. And, definitely nothing open to the public.
quote:
It doesn’t appear last year’s draft pick Zack Baun is any closer to pushing for starter’s snaps in New Orleans’ two-linebacker defensive look
How would anyone know this? They have not had any form of organized activities to see where Baun stands. And, definitely nothing open to the public.
Posted on 5/12/21 at 12:26 pm to WB504
quote:
We do better getting our LBs via trade than the draft. Sign me up.
Pretty much why I hate drafting linebackers early. First off it rarely works out for us, and second like I said last year when I was against drafting Queen, they usually have some available that are good enough to start. It’s just not a high value position to sink a lot of capital in anymore.
Kwon last year and Hicks this year are perfect examples.
Really wished we would have moved up some to get T Marshal. Bad move by the front office.
This post was edited on 5/12/21 at 12:28 pm
Posted on 5/12/21 at 2:41 pm to Weekend Warrior79
Baun and the other rookies had no minicamp, no OTAs, no preseason etc. I don’t think he was ever going to be the guy to strictly fill one of those LB positions. His versatility is going to line him up all over
Posted on 5/14/21 at 1:27 pm to Cheesy Beaver
So far he has done that
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