3 Assets Saints Can Use to Trade up and Draft Jordan Love

There has been one quarterback that the Saints' have repeatedly have been linked to ahead of Thursday's draft: Utah State product Jordan Love.

Only one problem, though -- as his buzz rises, it's unclear if he'll still be around by the Saints' 24th overall pick. The only option for the Saints may be to move up to select him. If they do rise up draft boards to choose Love, here are some assets they might have to give up to acquire their next franchise player.

3. 2021 Draft Picks

This sign will be shown the fewest times in the NFL for the Saints, as they have the least amount of picks in the 2020 draft / Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Though the Saints only have five picks in 2020, New Orleans is armed with all seven picks in 2021, in addition to possible compensation picks for Teddy Bridgewater, Eli Apple, and AJ Klein. With a plethora of draft picks next year at their disposal, the Saints may be willing to deplete that stash a little if it means selecting their next face of the franchise. The team is more likely to give up next year's picks, as the Saints are tied with the Chiefs for the fewest selections in this year's draft.

2. OG Larry Warford

Warford getting ready to enter the huddle in a game vs. the Cardinals / Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

Instead of depleting the future, the Saints can trade away current assets to assure themselves a shot at Love. One option would be to trade right guard Larry Warford to move up in the draft. Warford has been steady for the Saints, as he has made a Pro Bowl every year since joining the team, but he has a cap hit that approaches $13 million. The Saints also have a ton of interior offensive line depth- and may want to get younger as well as cheaper at the position. After all, they did give fellow guard Andrus Peat a five year extension earlier in free agency.

1. RB Alvin Kamara

Kamara hitting paydirt in a game vs. the Panthers / Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Sometimes, you have to give to get. This may be the case if the Saints want to acquire Love. Even though Kamara is an integral piece to New Orleans' offense, they may have to sacrifice now to ensure success for the future without Drew Brees. Kamara is in the last year of his rookie contract, and will likely want a big payday. He also backslid in 2019, and the Saints still won 13 games. This one, of course, depends on how quickly Love is rising and how competitive New Orleans' offer has to get. Are they jumping ahead of the Chargers at No. 6, or can they wait longer to pounce? In a worst-case scenario, New Orleans can trade Kamara to save some draft capital, and get rid of a possible cap expense down the road.