The New Orleans Saints entered Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline looking to unload wide receiver Rashid Shaheed and were able to accomplish that in short order.
The speedy playmaker was dealt to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for 2026 fourth and fifth-round picks. The return — reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport — gives the Saints seven picks in next year’s draft.
Why Did the Saints Trade Rashid Shaheed?
Pro Football Talk reported last week that New Orleans was seeking a third-round pick for Shaheed. The Saints ultimately settled for a lesser return, but the extra pick will give general manager Mickey Loomis more assets to work with next offseason as he tries to revamp the roster.
With a rookie quarterback and a first-year coach, the Saints are all-in on their rebuild, and stockpiling picks is a good start.
Shaheed’s contract was set to expire after this season, so the Saints avoided the possibility of losing him for nothing in free agency.
The Saints are 1-8 and have the second-worst point differential (-105) in the NFL.
How Does Rashid Shaheed Fit With the Seahawks?
A former undrafted free agent out of Weber State, Shaheed became one of the NFL’s best deep threats while earning All-Pro honors as a punt returner in 2023. In parts of four seasons with the Saints, Shaheed had 138 catches for 2,055 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also returned two punts for touchdowns.
This season, the 27-year-old Shaheed already has 499 yards and two touchdowns, and his 44 receptions are two away from his career high. He is also averaging 12.9 yards on 10 punt returns.
Shaheed’s ability to stretch the field makes him a no-brainer for the first-place Seahawks (6-2), who already boast a top-10 offense and one of the league’s most efficient passing attacks. Jaxson Smith-Njigba leads the league with 948 receiving yards on 58 catches, but No. 2 receiver Cooper Kupp was inactive in Week 9 because of a hamstring injury. The Seahawks beat the Washington Commanders 38-14 with help from rookie fifth-rounder Tory Horton, who caught two touchdowns from Sam Darnold.
Saints Get 2 Draft Picks from Seahawks in Rashid Shaheed Trade