DT John Ridgeway III and a 7th round pick traded to the Saints for a 6th round pick (2 Viewers)

[nakadish]

I'm not saying he is definitely gone, but when you lose your starting job, complain about it on social media, and the team you play for goes out and trades for a guy who plays the same position as you, there is a chance you are going to get cut or traded. And there have been media reports that it could happen. They may just decide to keep him around since they wouldn't save much money by getting rid of him, but if the right trade offer comes in or they get into a numbers crunch, I could see him getting cut.

I mean, I think Ridgeway is better than below average as a run stopping NT, but even if he is, that must mean they think Saunders is below that otherwise they would not have traded for him.

As far as the rookie, reports out of camp have been that Boyd looks great and that the team really likes him.

Beyond all that, Saunders has been a well below average DT since he got here and he's been a not insignificant part of why the run defense was bad last year.

Michael Thomas says "hello".

 

[B4YOU]

Just bc they traded for Ridgeway doesn’t mean they think he’s better then Saunders lol that’s a HUGE leap to make

DA said they were going to get him whether Saunders was injuried or not for depth.

This will all be answered if Saunders is on the roster for the Panthers game and when healthy if he plays more than Ridgeway. Bresse is damn good and should be starting, doesn’t mean anyone behind him is bad. Just because you trade for a player doesn’t mean that player is automatically going to be an immediate contributor. We traded a 6.5 round pick.

Again I can’t argue with anyone who says he will be traded, but cut…don’t see it happening.

I think you trade for Ridgeway if Saunders is out for a few weeks, Boyd isn't ready to be the #3, and you are considering 2025. Saunders is owed 4M and Shepherd is owed 4.8M in salary and roster bonuses in 2025. We may want to walk away from both players next year. Ridgeway is 26 and on a rookie deal for 2024 and 2025 of 1M/yr. Your 2025 top 3 starters would all be on rookie deals. Edit: Do we spend 8.8M on 2 DT or try to resign Young? We let go of our entire DI in 2023 so nothing new.

The Saints likely believe Ridgeway is better than Saunders even when healthy. Also, Saunders being traded this year saves us 3.7M. If you get a 7th to save cap space, then you move on from your 4th DT. If attitude is an issue, then Saints have shown better players the door.

 

[Saint KayBee]

Michael Thomas says "hello".

Sadly that’s not all he says.

 

[solarbear88]

Ridgeway looks more like a traditional nose tackle, which the team could use on running downs and people talked about all off season.

 

[RaisingTheBar]

I think you trade for Ridgeway if Saunders is out for a few weeks, Boyd isn't ready to be the #3, and you are considering 2025. Saunders is owed 4M and Shepherd is owed 4.8M in salary and roster bonuses in 2025. We may want to walk away from both players next year. Ridgeway is 26 and on a rookie deal for 2024 and 2025 of 1M/yr. Your 2025 top 3 starters would all be on rookie deals. Edit: Do we spend 8.8M on 2 DT or try to resign Young? We let go of our entire DI in 2023 so nothing new.

The Saints likely believe Ridgeway is better than Saunders even when healthy. Also, Saunders being traded this year saves us 3.7M. If you get a 7th to save cap space, then you move on from your 4th DT. If attitude is an issue, then Saints have shown better players the door.

Correct shown the door via trade. Likely he is traded this year or released next year for cap savings (we’re over the cap by 100mil next year), but when have they cut a starter from the year before the week of game 1?

 

[Saintscuffy]

Saunders can play more FB now

 

[Rexman100]

Not sure if this was posted yet.

 

[oysters]

Did Ridgeway play against the Panthers? I didn't see the game (just the highlights). Wonder if he did and how he looked.

 

[MikeyF]

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[kewinn89]

Did Ridgeway play against the Panthers? I didn't see the game (just the highlights). Wonder if he did and how he looked.

No

 

[Merl]

No

He was one of the inactives

 

[WxM]

I suspect he'll be active this week. Probably needed time to get the playbook down. We will probably need to use our two call-ups on someone else at another position due to injuries, also.