Saints Could Consider Trading Up For QB Paxton Lynch?

April 26, 2016

Update:

Mike Triplett of ESPN has already refuted the previous report that the Saints attempted to trade up to No. 1 overall.

Instead, Triplett’s sources mentioned that the Saints are more likely to trade down to acquire an additional pick or two.
Triplett considers Memphis QB Paxton Lynch to be a “long shot, at best,” for the Saints

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Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Saints had talks with the Titans about trading up to No. 1 overall for a quarterback. With this in mind, Rapoport wonders if the Saints may consider moving up for Memphis QB Paxton Lynch.

In the end, moving up to No. 1 overall proved too costly for the Saints, but Rapoport adds that they feel strongly about Lynch, and are a team to watch late in the Top 10.

The Saints have clearly been at least considering the idea of bringing a long-term replacement to Drew Brees. Last year, they drafted Garrett Grayson, but there appears to be at least some concern about him really taking over for Brees.

With Jared Goff and Carson Wentz expected to come off the board at No. 1 and No. 2 respectively, teams could begin to consider moving to secure Lynch, who is widely viewed as the third best quarterback prospect in this year’s draft class.

New Orleans have yet to work out a contract extension with Drew Brees, and there’s no indication of the two parties even being close at this point in time. Brees is 37 yards old, so even if they don’t draft a quarterback this year, they’re at least getting to the point where they’ll need to have a plan in place to replace him.

Other teams such as the Browns, Bills, Jets and Broncos have all been tossed out as potential landing spots for Lynch in recent weeks.

During his three years at Memphis, Lynch threw for 8,865 yards while completing 62.9 percent of his passes to go along with 59 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. He also contributed 687 yards rushing and 17 rushing touchdowns during this time.

We’ll have more regarding the Saints possibly targeting Lynch as the news is available.