Running back Alvin Kamara isn’t the only member of the Saints drawing interest in advance of the Nov. 4 trade deadline. Wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, EDGE Carl Granderson, linebacker Pete Werner, and offensive lineman Dillon Radunz are all on other teams’ radars, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
At 1-4 and unlikely to work their way into contention this year, the Saints are lining up as deadline sellers. Kamara appears unlikely to go anywhere, though, and Rapoport notes that the team is not planning a fire sale. However, that doesn’t mean the Saints won’t listen to offers on their potential trade candidates.
Shaheed, one of the league’s fastest players, is on pace for the most productive season of his career. After missing most of 2024 with a meniscus injury, Shaheed has returned to haul in 22 of 30 targets for 288 yards and two touchdowns in five games this year. He has also averaged 15.2 yards on six punt returns. The 27-year-old isn’t tied to New Orleans past this season, though, which may make a trade more likely. He’s on a $4.2MM base salary and due to reach free agency in the offseason.
The Saints may not have any urgency to part with Granderson, who’s signed through 2027 on the four-year, $52MM extension he received in 2023. Nevertheless, it’s no surprise teams have interest in the 28-year-old. After combining for 19.5 sacks from 2022-24, he has racked up 4.5 in five games this season. The 49ers are among contenders seeking pass-rushing upgrades, though it’s unclear if they have called the Saints about Granderson.
Werner, another staple in New Orleans’ front seven, has started in 52 of 61 contests (including four of five this year) since joining the team as a second-round pick in 2021. Like Granderson, Werner impressed the Saints enough earlier in his career to secure an extension. He’s under team control through 2027 on a three-year, $25MM pact. Werner has logged an 82.8% snap share and totaled 41 tackles this year, though Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranks his performance a lowly 65th among 72 qualifying linebackers.
After starting 15 games at right guard with the Titans last year, Radunz signed with the Saints on a one-year, $2.25MM deal in March. Now the backup to Saints left guard Trevor Penning and only a few months from returning to the open market, the 27-year-old Radunz wouldn’t command much in a trade.
The Saints have four games left before the deadline, including three against teams that are over .500. General manager Mickey Loomis will decide over the next few weeks who (if anyone) is expendable. Just a year removed from trading cornerback Marshon Lattimore (then a career-long Saint) to the Commanders, Loomis could be in for another active deadline this season.
Granderson is an absolute monster. If I’m San Francisco, this is my target-he’s two years younger than Hendrickson, and is signed to a longer deal. When Bosa returns, Granderson will give them a fantastic partner on the other end of the line. Hendrickson is more of a number one rusher right now, but he will cost San Fran more to acquire and then will need another deal to stay and be worth the investment-otherwise, he’ll just be a one year rental for a (presumably) high pick.
Hendrickson definitely solves the 9ers’ more immediate need for a number one rusher, but Granderson could give them a Bosa tandem partner; I realize that they signed Huff, and Huff is younger and has great pass rush skills. Unlike Huff, however, Granderson is also a beast against the run and is an every down player with a huge motor. I’m a big fan of his game and think that he provides that unending ferocity and determination that the stagnant 49er edge rush could really benefit from.
The problem with this scenario is that Bosa’s cap hit goes to around $42 million in 2026, and then $54 million in 2027. Granderson’s is a measly $18 million or so in comparison each year, which would put him fifth on the team next year (between Kittle and Warner). Would the 9ers want that money for another receiver? Who knows.
thinking same as Buc, dunno if Saints would consider us.
Probably not as a division rival, but then again, Loomis seems to want anything and everything he can get. If Tampa makes the best offer, he might do it. This isn’t a piece by piece trade scenario by the looks of it-it seems like a full sell-off (albeit, with limited inventory).
With shape of team that are probably several years away from being a playoff team. Don’t think the division rival concern is a issue right now.
The 49ers should have been asking Kittle to take a pay cut but instead they made him the highest paid TE…lol.