re: Saints should tag & trade Jimmy

Nope. You don't trade a way someone like Graham when your QB is getting towards retirement.

You don't replace someone like Graham at all that easily. Sure 1st round picks are nice, but they are also unknown and you have to find a trade partner. Finding another target in games besides Graham was a struggle, so trading away the only real #1 option makes 0 sense at all.

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There are options in FA that can be had for cheap, like Maclin, to add to this offense.

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Not to hijack this thread but I keep seeing people posted about picking Maclin up as FA. I really don't understand the infatuation with a receiver who has had injury problems & can't stay on the field.

He has talent and because of his injury problems he can be had for cheap. You aren't going to get a player as talented as him in free agency for cheap without some concerns. It would be a weighed gamble.

Doubt youd be able to get 2 first rounders


Al Davis is dead guys.

Maclin was listed at a 4.45 40 yard time. His personal best was a 4.31


He's not Desean speed, but certainly not slow. One of the fastest players on the Eagles.

But how much is too much of a gamble? What if he can be had for extremely cheap. Our offense becomes even better instantly.

I think his injury would allow the team to get him on a very, very cheap deal. No team is going to pay a lot for him.


Also, he's not my number one choice.


In order of preference:

Decker - obvious choice, but way too expensive. Will not happen.
Edelman - Versatile guy, and I really like what he would bring to the return game. He leads the league in yard returned per punt. Stays healthy, gym rat, student of the game...
Maclin - talented receiver that can be had for cheap

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You guys are forgetting that by trading Graham we aren't only getting picks.. We're (potentially) gaining cap breathing room that we can use to sign less-expensive FAs.

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You keep anywhere from 9-16mil per year for a good 5-6 years (assuming he may want megatron money at most and gronk money at lowest)

best reasonable scenario - you get 2 1st rounds from say a team like oakland who's looking for a playmaker. You get the #5 pick this year and probably a top 15 pick the following year as well.

You're giving up arguably the best TE in the league for a top WR prospect with their pick and maybe grabbing the top TE prospect who can catch/block with our pick this year - risky as hell. We're pretty 1 dimensional in regards to receiving positions right now as well so if it doesn't pan our, we are straight SOL.

It is a REALLY risky gamble, but if it pays off you get two high-end receiving options for brees that could potentially combine close to 2k yards (assuming watkins comes in, becomes the #1 and Amaro gets significant playing time as well).

But more importantly: 9-16mil/yr is enough to afford at least 1 top 5 player from any position (minus QB). You could end up shoring 3 positions (#1 WR, TE, and random FA signing), 2 of which were covered with draft picks and will be on the team on a cheap contract for the duration of brees' contract.

ETA: i think more importantly - if you don't spend all 9-16mil this year, next year we got a problem...signing cam jordan.

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But how much is too much of a gamble?

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In reality, it's a huge gamble. Having to pay any type of money with an organization that has cap issues to a player has a concussion history is a gamble. The chances of Maclin missing time or even worse, having to retire, is greater then a player without the concussion history. Unless Drew restructures, his cap hit grows even more next season but even then it's just delaying the inevitable hit. Factor in the dead money hits from cap related cuts & the organization may face a cap headache in the next few years. Why even risk it with Maclin when you can draft or sign someone minus the concussion history?