The New Orleans Saints made a crucial decision this offseason to push off a rebuild despite bringing in an entirely new coaching staff.
Despite their continued issues with the salary cap and the fact that they’ve failed to make the playoffs in each of the last four seasons, general manager Mickey Loomis ultimately decided it wasn’t the right time to begin a rebuild.
With that said, the Saints continue to be one of the more active teams in the NFL, and there’s always a chance Loomis is looking to make a trade before the 2025 NFL Draft. When looking at the team’s biggest trade chip, Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus predicts it could be two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Demario Davis.
Derek Carr and Tyrann Mathieu were clear options to be on this list, but both appear in steady shape on the Saints’ roster heading into the 2025 season. Davis, though, has a little more uncertainty after his contract was restructured, leaving him on a one-year deal.
Despite playing his 13th season, Davis was still strong last year, earning an 80.2 PFF run-defense grade. More specifically, his 81.3 PFF overall grade from Weeks 11-18 ranked fifth among qualified linebackers. Still able to play at a high level, at least against the run, Davis could draw trade interest even at age 36.
Davis is in the final year of a two-year, $17.5 million deal he signed with New Orleans before the 2024 season. The veteran linebacker posted a career-high with 136 total tackles, but his five tackles for loss were the fewest in a season since 2014.
The Saints restructured so many deals that they are in solid standing with the salary cap this offseason, but the future is still uncertain. Even so, the NFC South is wide open so it’s not a total surprise that New Orleans is trying to run it back.
It’s unlikely Davis is shipped off given the stability the Saints need in the middle of the defense but when it comes to the NFL, draft trades are always something to keep an eye on.
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