This Colts-Saints Trade for Alvin Kamara Could Actually Work

The Indianapolis Colts want to compete for a Super Bowl this season. That was made clear when the team handed $25 million to Philip Rivers when Jacoby Brissett is already a $21.375 million cap hit.

One way to keep the upgrades rolling would be to acquire a top running back. Marlon Mack did have over 1,000 yards last season, but he is in a contract year. Even if he does stay beyond 2020, the Colts could build a dominant duo in the backfield by making a trade for New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara.

The Saints signed Drew Brees to a two-year deal. However, it is still possible he retires after the 2020 season. New Orleans needs to think about restocking for the future and that is where a trade can come into play, and signing a running back to a huge new contract won't get the job done.

The Colts still have over $25 million in cap space and have the contracts of Rivers and Brissett coming off the books in 2021. That opens up plenty of space to sign Kamara to an extension upon the trade going through. To sweeten the deal for New Orleans, the Colts can offer both a second and fifth-round pick. Kamara is in the final year of his rookie contract. He has played well beyond his salary and will want a new contract. What's the point of taking on that drama?

If the Saints don't want to hand Kamara an extension a trade is the best option. The Colts have a ton of cap space and could still pay a top quarterback to play alongside Kamara in the backfield for the length of his new contract. Adding a player who averages nearly 1,500 yards from scrimmage per year would be worth giving up the two draft picks.

Losing Andrew Luck to retirement gave the Colts a bit of a reset last year. Trading for Kamara would help keep the transition smooth and avoid any sort of rebuild in Indianapolis. The Saints are headed for a similar stage, and can get something in return for Kamara if an extension is not coming.