How the Eagles' Draft Trade With Saints Impacts Detroit Lions

Could the New Orleans Saints try to move up to the No. 2 spot?

John Maakaron | Apr 4, 2022

The Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints have pulled off a draft trade, three weeks before the start of the 2022 NFL Draft.

According to the terms of the deal, the Eagles are sending picks No. 16, No. 19 and No. 194 in the sixth round this year to the Saints in exchange for pick No. 18, No. 101 in the third round, No. 237 in the seventh round, a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 second-round pick.

For Saints general manager Mickey Loomis, the opportunity is now present to move up drastically in the draft order, if the team is seeking to select a quarterback.

The Saints' three picks (Nos. 16, 19 and 49) are in a prime position, given this year's draft class makeup.

"New Orleans now has three picks inside the Top 50, which should set them up to take care of their cap issue in the next couple years, by getting younger, cheaper talent on the roster," the MMQB's Albert Breer explained.

Per the trade value chart, the Saints have almost enough draft capital to move up and make it worthwhile for the Detroit Lions and general manager Brad Holmes to trade down.

Meanwhile, if Loomis decides to call the Houston Texans, they do have enough capital to move up to the No. 3 spot, if they are interested in either quarterback Malik Willis or Kenny Pickett.

From our breaking news segment: Thanks to this trade, if the #Saints wanted to come up and take a QB... they are now positioned to do so. pic.twitter.com/YvjL3MA1TA
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 4, 2022

Per the trade value chart, that’s almost enough for the Saints to get up to No. 2 should they really want a QB.

(Not saying that’s happening, but since we were talking about Lions trading No. 2 last week, figured I’d point it out) https://t.co/QjRwZiqVQK
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) April 4, 2022

It’s enough to get No 3, per the trade chart
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) April 4, 2022

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Published Apr 4, 2022

JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!