This Saints-Chargers Trade for Desmond King Would Help New Orleans Improve Lackluster Secondary

Having a shutdown cornerback like Marshon Lattimore and a promising safety like Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is a plus for Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints, but losing Vonn Bell and Eli Apple in free agency should force Payton to look into trading for Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Desmond King.

The former fifth-round pick out of Iowa became a key member of one of the best secondaries in all of football over the last three years, but Chargers GM Tom Telesco could look to move him after signing former Broncos corner Chris Harris to play in the slot.

King only has a $2.2 million cap hit next year, but he is a free agent at the end of the 2020 season, which could lower his asking price. The Saints have two third-round picks this year, one of which was likely to be used on a cornerback, so the Saints can eschew the risk involved with drafting a corner an add a proven stud. A third-round pick is fair compensation for King, who could be in for a role reduction regardless.

While the Saints add one of the best slot corners in the game, the Chargers can keep rebuilding their offensive line with another mid-round selection.

In a nickel base defense, either Harris or King would be forced to the bench, so it makes sense that LA would look to trade the young, budding star. New Orleans could help what has been a turbulent offseason defensively by adding a player of King's caliber.