The Saints will admit there's "urgency" around the future starting quarterback in New Orleans, and they'll be getting a good look at young passers this week at the NFL Scouting Combine.
But they'll also admit there's significant difficulty in finding a franchise QB in the latter half of the draft, Mickey Loomis said Thursday. Picking at No. 18, it's difficult to target a player because you don't know who will be there when the Saints go on the clock.
Could the Saints package assets to move up and get their guy? Certainly, Loomis says, but it's always going to be costly.
When the Chicago Bears made the leap from 20 to 11 in the 2021 draft to select Justin Fields, it costs them the No. 20 and 164 picks, along with their 2022 first- and fourth-round selections. Would the Saints be willing to part with that much to select their target from a crop headlined by Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett?
"It’s expensive in terms of the draft capital you have to give up," Loomis said. "So it’s unrealistic, typically. It can happen, it’s not impossible, but it’s pretty difficult.”
The Saints GM wouldn't rule out taking a quarterback high in the draft, but indications are that they team will look to work out a deal with a current free agent -- and yes, Jameis Winston is on that list of players. Winston started the first seven games for the Saints in 2021 before a season-ending knee injury, but despite health questions he'll likely have a few offers to choose from, as Loomis hinted.
“We’re approaching it with a sense of urgency, that’s for sure. Hopefully we can get something done with some of the guys that’s available," Loomis said. "Jameis is certainly an option for us, and hopefully we’re an option for him as well. We’ll go through the process here and see what happens.”
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Will it be Winston? Another hot free agent name like Mitch Trubisky? A big-name trade target like Aaron Rodgers or even Jimmy Garoppolo? Only time will tell, but the events out an Indy this week mark one significant step closer to that answer.
ANY UPDATES ON MICHAEL THOMAS?
“We’re expecting to have Mike back. Hopefully his progress is going well. The reports are that it’s going well. I know ... he’s certainly motivated. Michael is always motivated, so that’s not an issue," Loomis said. "But Tre’Quan’s a free agent and Deonte Harris is an RFA, so we’ve got some work to do to improve that room."
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ON KODI BURNS HIRE AS WR COACH
“He’s a guy who we kept hearing his name repeatedly." Loomis said. " … One of the questions I always ask of our scouts is ‘what are the college coaches you’re really impressed with as you make your campus visits?’ And that’s a name that came up several times and was very impressive in the interview process and we kept hearing really good things about him and I think we’re fortunate to have him.”
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