Sean Payton: Worth Trading a 2nd Round Draft Pick?
By Neal Lynch
The New Orleans Saints are willing to explore trading head coach Sean Payton for a second round draft pick. Back in October, the Saints were 2-4 and it was reported that Payton was open to listening to opportunities. Now, it seems the move is more of a reality, but which team is willing to part with a potential Pro Bowl, impact player to get the offensive guru?
Payton was the former Giants quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator under Jim Fassel and has been credited with turning around Kerry Collins career. A return to his former stomping grounds to join a team on the cusp of being great again makes him a legitimate option to replace Coughlin. When he became head coach of the Saints in 2006, he paired up with Drew Brees, who was jettisoned by San Diego in favor of Philip Rivers, and led the team to its first Super Bowl win in 2009-10.
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While Payton is a familiar face to Giants fans, the organization is a different matter. There’s also the concern that Payton is an offensive-minded coach whose defenses have suffered under his tutelage. Do the Giants want yet another offensive mind when they already have one in Ben McAdoo. Obviously, if McAdoo leaves (possibly to the Eagles) then Payton has to be a top choice. But, how do the Giants address their defensive woes?
Payton has two years left on his current contract with the Saints and is scheduled to earn $8 million per year.
While a second round pick doesn’t sound like much, take a look at the talent the Giants have selected in the second round of the draft over the past dozen years:
2015 – traded up to get Landon Collins, the first rookie to start and play in all 16 games, led the team in tackles
2014 – Weston Richburg, a Pro Bowl snub, who played out of position at guard his rookie season, then excelled at his natural position at center
2013 – Johnathan Hankins, a Pro Bowl caliber player who’s essential to the stopping the run and can get pressure on the quarterback
2012 – Rueben Randle, a much maligned wideout who never really got on the same page as Eli, but who could’ve been a top target
2010 – Linval Joseph, currently crushing it for the Minnesota Vikings
2009 – Will Beatty, starting left tackle who’s received mixed reviews
2008 – Terrell Thomas, showed flashes of greatness and could’ve been a Pro Bowler had he not torn his ACL multiple times
2007 – Steve Smith, crucial to the Giants Super Bowl run in 2007-08, a Pro Bowler in 2009 and might’ve been a solid secondary or tertiary option for years had he not gotten hurt in 2010
2005 – Corey Webster, sealed the deal in the 2007-08 NFC Champion game, played in more than 120 games over 9 seasons and had 20 picks
2004 – Chris Snee, 4-time Pro Bowl guard
2003 – Osi Umenyiora, 2-time Pro Bowl defensive end who notched 75 sacks for the Giants in 9 seasons
The trade isn’t just a second round draft pick. The trade is giving up a potential Pro Bowler. What do you think? Is Sean Payton worth a Pro Bowler who can help your team make multiple playoff runs?