The New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals currently negotiate on a potential trade where the Cardinals send the third overall pick to the New Orleans Saints. In the deal, the Saints send picks 8, 42, and 73 to Arizona. The Saints do not want to send any 2027 capital in this deal.
Johnny Venerable for PHNX Sports agrees. He said, “They get pick eight from New Orleans. They get pick 42 and they get pick 73. So no 2027 draft capital is exchanged with New Orleans. I think that’s the preference for these teams. In fact, I know it.”
The Saints move up to three and select one of Arvell Reese or David Bailey. Per the NFL Trade Value Chart, the Saints give up 2105 in total value while getting 2200 with the third overall pick. They net positive value with this trade. However, they would not pick again until pick 132.
The Kansas City Chiefs also actively discuss a potential move with the Cardinals for pick number three.
Albert Breer Sees New Orleans Saints Trading Up
GettyNew Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis has traded up aggressively in the past.
Additionally, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated notes that the Saints historically move up in the draft to acquire talent. That is especially true this year when they need help with their pass rush.
Breer writes, “The Saints, who pick eighth, have shown a willingness to get aggressive in the past and have a pass-rush need.”
The player he expects them to want is Reese.
Breer said, “Reese, assuming Bailey is off the board at No. 2. His value from team to team will differ, but the high end is really, really high, and with this new genre of off-the-ball/on-the-ball, Swiss Army knife linebackers (Micah Parsons, Abdul Carter, Jalon Walker, Jihaad Campbell et al.), more teams have a home for guys with his profile. And if you’re scared off by Rueben Bain Jr.’s arm length—30 7/8-inch arms—and some are, the drop from Reese to the next rusher might be massive.”
With Bain in play at 8 for the Saints, it makes sense why the organization would want to gamble on a higher end prospect if the supposed drop off in talent is that sharp between picks three and eight.
Arvell Reese and David Bailey Prospect Profiles
GettyThe Saints need pass rush help, and they would get an edge rusher undoubtedly at 3.
On draft rankings, Reese cannot escape the top 3. PFF ranks him as their second overall prospect behind Fernando Mendoza while Dane Brugler ranks him first overall.
Brugler says, “Reese has the dynamic talent to play a variety of different linebacker or edge roles at a high level, although his ceiling as a pass rusher is his most valuable asset. It is hard to find versatile defenders with his caliber of explosive tools.”
Despite being rumored to be taken early, Bailey ranks differently than Reese comparatively for draft analysts. PFF ranks him as their sixth overall prospect while Brugler ranks him seventh overall.
Brugler says, “Bailey is still developing his rush counters, but he is an explosive, quick-twitch athlete with the power, length and desire to be a disruptive rush piece. He projects as a versatile NFL starter.”
New Orleans Saints in Trade Discussions for Third Overall Pick