Patriots Player Swap With Saints Makes Sense for Both Sides

The New England Patriots have a significant need at wide receiver, despite adding Stefon Diggs in free agency. The New Orleans Saints also have a significant need at quarterback, with veteran Derek Carr declining rapidly at 33 years old and their only young option being Spencer Rattler, a former fifth-round pick.

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That makes a potential quarterback and wide receiver swap between the two sides an interesting trade idea.

In this article from Sports Illustrated's Dakota Randall, he writes about a potential trade proposal involving backup quarterback Joe Milton, and wide receiver Chris Olave.

Olave is coming off a difficult, injury-riddled season and his current contract is running out soon, so a trade could make sense. The Patriots already invested big money into a risky wide receiver option in Diggs, so trading for another and extending him could make sense.

For the Saints, they would be taking a flier on another low-round young QB who has shown some promise.

From a physical standpoint, Milton seems like a much better option at the position than Rattler. However, both options are quite unproven, making both risky options.

If the Saints really believe in Milton after limited game action, then this trade would make great sense for them as well.

The full trade details include the Patriots getting Olave and a sixth-round pick, and the Saints getting Milton, a third-round pick, and a fifth-round pick. The picks aren't super significant, but they do add more elements of risk with the swap.

From a pure talent standpoint, the Patriots seem to win the trade, as they are giving away a backup quarterback for a new wide receiver.

However, Milton has high potential at the most important position in football, and Olave had severe injury issues last season, making both sides have equal risk, even with the picks adding a bit more balance to the trade.

This trade would also likely affect draft strategy. The Patriots would be much less likely to prioritize offense with the fourth pick in the draft and would make missing out on Travis Hunter less hurtful.

The Saints have the ninth pick and would be much more likely to take offense, such as wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan or tight end Tyler Warren.

While the trade on paper seems a bit risky to actually happen, it does make quite a bit of sense for both sides based on their top needs and potential draft strategies.

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