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The New Orleans Saints were even more aggressive than usual in the second day of the 2020 NFL Draft, working the phones all day long to find trade partners. And their efforts paid off. The Saints exited the first three rounds with three different prospects they graded among the best players in this year’s draft class.
Of course, that comes with a catch — the Saints traded all of their remaining 2020 draft picks to make it happen, as well as a third-round choice in 2021. But it’s a maneuver they’d be happy to repeat.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis admitted as much in a conference call with local media after Friday night’s selections were in the books.
“We are excited,” Loomis said. “That’s three players we had in our top 40.”
His thoughts were echoed by Saints coach Sean Payton, who said Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun (one of the team’s third-round picks) was initially projected to be picked within the first 20 selections of the second round. When he made it past that range, Payton and his team called every team ahead of them to try and cut a deal. After about an hour, they finally found a taker.
With these three rookies in the fold, the Saints have now filled 73 of their 90 offseason roster spots. They can only carry 53 players on the opening-day roster, so there are guys under contract now who won’t make it to September. Punting on the third and final day of the draft makes sense in light of that; the Saints are taking a quality over quantity approach.
But that doesn’t mean they’ll sit out Saturday’s picks entirely. If the value is right, the Saints won’t be afraid to trade future assets to acquire someone they feel can help out right away. With Drew Brees entering the twilight of his career, it’s time the Saints use every resource at their disposal to go chase another Super Bowl.
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