The offseason is officially here for all 32 teams, which means that every single organization is going to try and cook up ways to improve and hoist the Lombardi. For some teams like the Baltimore Ravens, that means going all-in with free agent signings and trades. The New Orleans Saints, meanwhile, might look for a long-term rebuild and consider sending away some of their aging veterans. These needs could overlap and lead to an Alvin Kamara trade.
At least, that’s what’s proposed by Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay. In his latest article, the NFL analyst suggests that the cap-strapped New Orleans Saints trade Alvin Kamara to the Baltimore Ravens as one of five moves that could help prevent a Chiefs three-peat. In this hypothetical, the Ravens will receive Kamara while the Saints get a 2024 seventh-round pick.
Blockbuster Alvin Kamara Trade Proposed Between Ravens, Saints
The Ravens were the best team of the regular season, but they were ultimately unable to take down the Kansas City Chiefs when it mattered most. While the defense held up their end of the bargain, Baltimore’s offense only managed to put up 10 points in the AFC Championship Game. Alvin Kamara isn’t the player he once was, but a trade would dramatically improve the Ravens running back room.
Last year, the team entered the year with J.K. Dobbins as their starting running back. However, the former second-round pick suffered a torn Achilles during the Week 1, landing him on the injured reserve. Gus Edwards took over from there, and while he did an adequate job, he’s nothing special as a runner.
Both players are free agents, and even if both players are re-signed, there is a real possibility that Dobbins never recaptures his old form. Historically speaking, Achilles injuries are a kiss of death to running backs, and the Ohio State product hasn’t been the picture of health in the NFL. An Alvin Kamara trade would solve their backfield woes, so the Ravens would probably do it, but would the Saints?
Would the Saints Agree to This?
From the outside looking in, the New Orleans Saints should probably embrace a rebuild. The team missed the playoffs last year, is $82 million over the salary cap, and is stuck with Derek Carr for at least one more year. Instead of continuing to mortgage the future, they should probably trade Alvin Kamara and aim to compete in 2025.
Even though that might be the best thing for the long-term future of the organization, it’s probably not going to happen. Dennis Allen is on the hot seat, and he won’t survive another underwhelming campaign. Even if he had job security, this simply isn’t how the Saints do business. Perhaps if they had a cheap alternative on the roster, they’d be willing to trade Alvin Kamara, but they don’t have that right now.
After leading the league in touchdowns in 2022, Jamaal Williams put up the worst season of his career in 2023. During his first year in New Orleans, the veteran averaged a paltry 2.9 yards per carry and only scored one controversy-filled touchdown. Third-round pick Kendre Miller, meanwhile, finished his rookie season with just 156 yards on 41 carries.
With no real alternative on the roster, it’s hard to envision the Saints agreeing to an Alvin Kamara trade. This one probably isn’t going to happen, even if the move would save New Orleans $11.68 million in cap space if designated as a post-June 1st transaction.
Main Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck – USA Today Sports
