Exploring Saints Trade-Up Scenarios for Top Pick Cam Ward

Photo courtesy of Imagn Images.

It’s always interesting to see how stories can start a life of their own based on what has been said by certain people, especially regarding the New Orleans Saints. Last Monday, former Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward received the Manning Award, which is presented in the city of New Orleans. Ward expressed his respect for the Saints organization when he spoke with local media.

“I loved watching [quarterback] Drew Brees and [receiver Marques] Colston out there,” Ward said via Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “It would be a dream of mine to play for them if I get a chance someday. But that’s not really my focus right now.” Ward also mentioned how well the interview between him and new Saints head coach Kellen Moore went.

“It was a great meeting,” Ward said. “If you get a chance to go play for a Super Bowl-winning coach like coach Kellen Moore. He knows how to dial up the playbook. The biggest thing I took away from that meeting was that you just have to be prepared at all times, whether you go in as a starter or you go in as a backup. You never know when your number is going to be called.”

The entire conversation immediately set off alarms within Saints media of all forms. Many have speculated that team executive vice president and general manager Mickey Loomis will contact the Titans and present an offer they cannot refuse in return for receiving the first overall pick in the draft. It’s an intriguing decision, but would the move be worth it? Recent transactions by the Titans have suggested that Ward is their top choice at no.1 unless a godfather-like offer is presented. While general manager Mickey Loomis has publicly committed to Derek Carr as the team’s starter in 2025, there is a growing sense that the Saints should consider a long-term solution.

Related: Saints 2025 7-Rd Mock Draft 2:0

The Cost of Moving Up to No. 1

Trading up to the top overall pick is never cheap, especially outside the top five. Historically, teams have had to give up multiple first-round picks and additional assets to make such a leap.

Here’s a look at what a potential trade package could look like for the Saints to acquire the No. 1 pick from the Titans:

Mock Trade Proposal

Saints Receive:

• 1st Overall Pick (from Tennessee Titans)

Titans Receive:

• 9th Overall Pick (from New Orleans Saints)
• 2026 First-Round Pick
• 2027 First-Round Pick
• 2025 Second-Round Pick (Pick No. 40)
• 2025 Third-Round Pick (Pick No. 71) or a 2026 Second-Round Pick
• A Potential Player (Defensive Starter or Offensive Lineman to Sweeten the Deal)

This package aligns with past trades where teams leapfrogged multiple spots to secure a top quarterback prospect.

Historical Comparisons

To better understand the price of moving up, let’s look at previous blockbuster draft trades involving quarterbacks:

1. 2023 – Panthers Trade for No. 1 Pick (Bryce Young)
   • Panthers Received: No. 1 overall pick (Bryce Young)
   • Bears Received: No. 9 pick, 2024 first-round pick, 2023 second-round pick, 2025 second-round pick, WR D.J. Moore
2. 2016 – Rams Trade for No. 1 Pick (Jared Goff)
   • Rams Received: No. 1 overall pick, No. 113 pick, No. 177 pick
   • Titans Received: No. 15 pick, two 2026 second-round picks, 2026 third-round pick, 2027 first-round pick
3. 2012 – Washington Trades for No. 2 Pick (Robert Griffin III)
   • Washington Received: No. 2 overall pick (Robert Griffin III)
   • Rams Received: No. 6 pick, 2023 second-round pick, 2024 first-round pick, 2025 first-round pick

Each of these trades required multiple first-round picks and additional assets. The Saints, thin on young talent, would be making a massive gamble by parting with their future draft capital.

Why Would the Saints Make This Move?

The Saints have been searching for Drew Brees’ successor ever since he retired after the 2020 season. Despite efforts to build around Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton, and now Derek Carr, the franchise has yet to find a long-term solution at quarterback. If they believe Cam Ward is the answer, moving up for him would be a franchise-altering decision.

Why Cam Ward?

Cam Ward has one of the highest ceilings in this year’s draft class. The former Washington State quarterback possesses:

• Elite arm talent capable of making every throw at the NFL level
• Athleticism to extend plays outside the pocket and make off-platform throws
• Poise under pressure, showing growth in decision-making and pocket awareness
• High football IQ, adapting to various offensive schemes, and making pre-snap adjustments

While Caleb Williams and Drake Maye are often regarded as the top quarterbacks in the class, Ward has the raw tools and upside to become a franchise signal-caller. His playstyle has drawn comparisons to Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, which makes him an intriguing prospect for a team like New Orleans.

Why This Trade Would Be Risky for the Saints

While the upside of landing a franchise quarterback is immense, there are significant risks to consider when trading up for the No. 1 pick.

1. The Cost is Enormous

Giving up multiple first-round picks and valuable mid-round selections would severely limit the Saints’ ability to build a complete roster. The team has significant needs on both sides of the ball, including:

• Offensive Line – Inconsistent pass protection
• Wide Receiver – Lack of a clear WR1 after Michael Thomas’ departure
• Defensive Line – In need of a pass-rusher and run-stuffing DT
• Cornerback Depth – Paulson Adebo left in free agency

Trading future first-rounders eliminates their ability to address these issues over the next few seasons.

2. Cap Constraints Could Make Building Around Ward Difficult

The Saints are already pushing salary cap limitations to the max, restructuring multiple contracts to become cap compliant. Bringing in a rookie quarterback on a cost-controlled deal would help, but without enough draft picks to build around him, Ward could struggle as Bryce Young did in his rookie season with Carolina.

3. What if Ward Isn’t the Guy?

While Ward’s upside is undeniable, he is also a raw prospect who may require a year or two of development before he reaches his full potential. If he fails to meet expectations, the Saints will have no first-round picks in future drafts and a roster filled with holes.

Should the Saints Trade Up for Cam Ward?

The Saints desperately need a long-term quarterback solution, and Cam Ward has the tools to become that guy. However, moving up to No. 1 would require a massive investment of future assets, limiting the team’s ability to build around him.

Given the Saints’ cap issues and roster holes, the smarter move would be to trade down or stay at No. 9 and address multiple positions of need. If Ward falls into the 4-6 range, New Orleans should explore a more reasonable trade-up scenario that doesn’t mortgage their entire future.

If Mickey Loomis is willing to bet it all on Ward, it would be a boom-or-bust move that defines his legacy as a GM. The Saints must carefully weigh whether the potential upside of landing a star quarterback outweighs the long-term cost of moving up.

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