Former NFL GM Believes The Saints Got Robbed

What exactly are the New Orleans Saints going for?

Could it be that they are going all-in for quarterback Jameis Winston?

It’s hard to fault them, especially after he went 5-2 last season before suffering a torn ACL.

But they would like to build around Winston by getting additional 2022 first-rounders.

However, the trade with the Philadelphia Eagles might be unfair for them, as former general manager and ESPN analyst Joe Banner stated.

One of the most lopsided trades we have seen in a long time. The 1,2 & 3 saints gave up for 16 was enough that they could’ve used it to trade for almost any nfl star player not a QB and had picks left over. Instead they got a mid first round pick. Crazy.

— Joe Banner (@JoeBanner13) April 4, 2022

Banner stated, “One of the most lopsided trades we have seen in a long time. The 1,2 & 3 saints gave up for 16 was enough that they could’ve used it to trade for almost any NFL star player, not a QB, and had picks left over. Instead, they got a mid-first-round pick. Crazy.”

In review, the Saints got Philadelphia’s 16th and 19th overall picks this year, plus their sixth-rounder (number 194).

Meanwhile, the Eagles got New Orleans’ 18th overall in 2022, their third-rounder (101st overall), and seventh-rounder (number 237).

But what made the trade in favor of Philadelphia is the 2023 first-rounder and the 2024 second-rounder they got.

Those two picks might have convinced Banner that this trade is a robbery.

Essentially, the Eagles lost only one first-round pick because they got one in return after trading away two.

Eagles’ Strategy Setting Up Nicely

The Eagles acquired draft flexibility to give quarterback Jalen Hurts an opportunity to prove himself.

Philadelphia will likely use the 2022 first-rounders to build around their current starting quarterback.

They will allow him to thrive and convince them that he’s their long-term solution under center.

But if he doesn’t meet expectations, that 2023 first-rounder they got from New Orleans will likely be a quarterback.

Next year’s quarterback class is shaping up to be a deeper one than this year, and the Eagles are ensuring that they are in the position to act quickly if Hurts isn’t the answer.