Saints met with top QB prospect Cam Ward [Schefter: CLE, NYG or maybe Saints have to make an offer compelling enough for #1 pick]

[StudioSaint]

Titans have lowered their original cost. Ward @ his pro day having words w/ Titans Brass “sealing the deal” the Titans setting up a private workout.

They aren’t sold on him.

Rather go to a team that is.

I don't know what the Titans are thinking, but Schefter is reporting that the Titan's asking price will go up and others are reporting that the Titan's media content team was at Ward's workout recording him.

 

[SigFreudianSlip]

Are we taking about how the Saints have gone from 200:1 odds of drafting first overall 4 days ago to today they are listed at 26:1?

I don't know what the Titans are thinking, but Schefter is reporting that the Titan's asking price will go up and others are reporting that the Titan's media content team was at Ward's workout recording him.

Yep, Sportscenter just said the price has gone up after his pro day. “Yesterday’s price is not today’s price.”
Per their anchor just now.

 

[DerrickB]

 

[St. Widge]

Since you posted this, the Pats signed Diggs.

As for Ward, I hear what AdamWest is selling, I'm just grappling with if this is "the guy" to do it for. But then again, I'll admit that I thought the Chiefs did us a favor by jumping ahead for Mahomes. Also, selfishly, I enjoy the draft and it sucks to not have number one picks. I know, if Ward is the real deal, it will be worth it.

I guess if they do it, I'll be disappointed, but I'll Immediately go with it like I always do. Can't change it at that point, anyway.

I'm not sure that Diggs stops them from wanting a young WR that has had 1,000 yards per year other than last year when he missed most of the season. The concussions are certainly a concern, but I would think the Pats want to surround Maye with as many weapons as possible and right now they only have Diggs who is in decline and I hear that the contract he signed is really only a one year deal despite being 3 years on paper. I'd think Olave would still be very interesting to them.

As far as Ward, he has all the tools to be very good, but like any young QB, it's going to come down to how hard he works when he gets to the NFL and does his HC build the right system around him. I have confidence Moore would build the right system around Ward, but the rest is somewhat of a risk. But that's the risk you have to take if you are going to eventually find that franchise QB that makes it so much easier to build a team that is a contender.

Sure, you can build a team into a contender with a mid-level QB, but the margin of error is so much smaller and you usually only go far in the playoffs with those teams if that mid-level QB has a career year. i.e. Nick Foles.

So, in the end, while it would be a big risk, I'm willing to take that risk, if the price is somewhat reasonable, especially since we haven't taken a QB in the 1st or 2nd round since we took Dave Wilson #1 in the supplemental draft in 1981.

 

[texasjefe]

OMG, who could've predicted the trade price to take Cam Ward has risen? ShOcKiNg!

Here's my trade proposal:

The Saints get top pick, the Titans get pick #9.
Titans get Saints 2026 #1.
Titans get Saints 2028 #1, and a 1st round pick swap if the Saints finish higher in 2033.

Titans get:
Mickey Loomis
Adam West

Saints get:
Dylan Radunz, the player to be named not later, but earlier.

Saints will pay the Titan's stadium sales taxes collected for the next 5 seasons to the State of Tennessee.

What do you think?

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

Yep, Sportscenter just said the price has gone up after his pro day. “Yesterday’s price is not today’s price.”
Per their anchor just now.

I'm not buying that. What's to learn at a pro-day in a controlled environment that you didn't already know from film? Had they said that after personally meeting w/ him (private workout or dinner) it would make more sense. They are driving up the price w/ a deliberate leak...but that only works if multiple people want the 1st pick, OR they are hell bent on picking him.

I'm not getting the vibe anyone else is willing to move up for it but us, and if it were the latter they'd be already rejecting calls. Only way this doesn't happen is if the Saints stand firm on their offer and don't sweeten the pot in such a way that truly entices the Titans.

 

[Winter]

I just hope we don't sell our future for a QB that we might be ready for.

 

[Winsett]

Penning (borderline starter, who they traded a future first that became Jalen Carter)

I've seen this said a few times, but it isn't true.
Saints traded the pick #18, and the future 1st (plus other assets) for pick #11 and #19.

Penning was selected with pick #19. We could have selected Penning at #18 that year without the trade.

Olave was the player selected at #11, and who the Saints set themselves up to select by trading away the future first for.

 

[Saint Spud]

Tennessee’s president said they want a generational talent with that pick.

It thats the case, they may not be willing to drop to 9. But…if we could work a deal with someone like Jacksonville or NYG first to get pick 3 or 4, then flip that pick to Tennessee, it might be more appealing for them since they’d still be in a position to get Hunter or Carrer.

 

[Joodas Avila]

This draft is deep at OL & EDGE, especially on Day 2 & early Day 3. On one of the NOF pods, Nick threw out a an idea that it would cost two 1s & two 3s, & i think Olave. If that were the case, i can see a scenario where we trade up to get Ward, & us still having enough draft capitol to lock down a starting level OL &/or EDGE. Id be cool w/that to land a potential franchise QB.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

This draft is deep at OL & EDGE, especially on Day 2 & early Day 3. On one of the NOF pods, Nick threw out a an idea that it would cost two 1s & two 3s, & i think Olave. If that were the case, i can see a scenario where we trade up to get Ward, & us still having enough draft capitol to lock down a starting level OL &/or EDGE. Id be cool w/that to land a potential franchise QB.

Where there's smoke there's fire. The Saints are likely more motivated by the open quarel w/ Carr. Everything we've heard about him not wanting to take a paycut or being open to trade is coming from his dissatisfaction...not the Saints. They haven't said a word to the public, but I'm sure deep down they know a disgruntled player going into the Season isn't how you want to get 2025 kicked off.

 

[DerrickB]

Here comes Cleveland.

 

[Hubig]

Here comes Cleveland.

Thats why I said if you're gonna trade up to 1, you do it well before the draft, over the next few days at the LATEST. If you're really thinking about moving to 1, don't wait because the longer you wait, other teams with earlier picks than you can make a better offer.

 

[St. Widge]

Thats why I said if you're gonna trade up to 1, you do it well before the draft, over the next few days at the LATEST. If you're really thinking about moving to 1, don't wait because the longer you wait, other teams with earlier picks than you can make a better offer.

Ideally sure, but as already mentioned Moore only got here a bit over month ago and had roster evaluations and free agency to deal with first so he had limited time to evaluate if Ward is worth the price. In addition, the Titans are going to want to take their time to decide what they want to do. So, unless you make a crazy offer, and we shouldn't, the Titans aren't going to take their time with this and try to create a bidding war or maybe they will take Ward. You can't force a team to make a trade until they are ready.

And the draft is still a month away.