In Jimmy Graham trade, Mickey Loomis says Saints used 'asset' on offense to help fix defense
 

By unloading one of the NFL's top offensive players, the New Orleans Saints freed up resources to improve their struggling defense, general manager Mickey Loomis said Tuesday night.

The Saints traded tight end Jimmy Graham and a fourth-round draft pick to the Seattle Seahawks for center Max Unger and their first-round pick.

"We've got to improve ourselves on defense," Loomis said in an interview with SiriusXM NFL. "There are three ways to get players in our league. That's through free agency, it's through the draft, and then trades. We believe in using all avenues."

Loomis said the Saints took "one of our assets on offense," which was ranked No. 1 in the NFL in 2014, and will plow the freed up resources into improving the 31st-ranked defense.

"It was a tough decision," Loomis said. "We love Jimmy Graham. He's been a great player for us. In order to improve ourselves we felt we had to make a bold move, and so we did."

The Saints now have the No. 13 and No. 31 overall picks in the NFL Draft, and Loomis didn't rule out combining the two picks to trade up to a higher spot.

"There may be an opportunity to move up," Loomis said. "We did that last year to get Brandin Cooks. ... If that happens again this year, we're more than willing to do that."

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Re: In Jimmy Graham trade, Mickey Loomis says Saints used 'asset' on offense to help fix defense
 

Don't trade up. Please!

Re: In Jimmy Graham trade, Mickey Loomis says Saints used 'asset' on offense to help fix defense
 

They're gonna trade up to the Redskins spot and select...Amari Cooper...

Re: In Jimmy Graham trade, Mickey Loomis says Saints used 'asset' on offense to help fix defense
 

The only way this trade works in our favor... IS

if Unger plays the rest of his contract uninjured... ( He only played six games last season with an ankle injury

if the brass goes out and gets Tramon Williams, Brandon Browner, and Mason Foster in free agency

if the front office hits on the first round pick that seattle gave them... ( last to back of the first round picks..... Patrick Robinson and Mark Ingram!!! smh!!!)

Too
much has to go right in my opinion.... not a horrible trade unless you look at the fact they were a play away from winning the superbowl on a pass, and now they got a player that can body up and get that pass, and you gave up a fourth rounder for them to get a new center to protect russell....

Re: In Jimmy Graham trade, Mickey Loomis says Saints used 'asset' on offense to help fix defense
 

Just keep the picks Loomis. You never know the diamond in the rough in the later rounds. It has happened several times in your tenure.

Re: In Jimmy Graham trade, Mickey Loomis says Saints used 'asset' on offense to help fix defense
 

Re: In Jimmy Graham trade, Mickey Loomis says Saints used 'asset' on offense to help fix defense
 

ill take our 2009 offense instead of our 2014 offense all day long.

Re: In Jimmy Graham trade, Mickey Loomis says Saints used 'asset' on offense to help fix defense
 

I think we could do this

Trade our two first round picks for a high first round pick and that team's second round pick. We could still get the likes of Perryman and McKinnley in the second round.

Re: In Jimmy Graham trade, Mickey Loomis says Saints used 'asset' on offense to help fix defense
 

So he actually saying we gonna draft defense with that 1st round pick or is he planning on using Unger at defense tackle? That is the only way trading JG going to help defense,,,,, like Loomis as a bean counter but dayuuuuum I can't remember the last time we had a decent draft or offseason free agent that made a difference since the unspoken Free Safety help us get to Super Bowl

Re: In Jimmy Graham trade, Mickey Loomis says Saints used 'asset' on offense to help fix defense
 

I have the same question

Re: In Jimmy Graham trade, Mickey Loomis says Saints used 'asset' on offense to help fix defense
 

Please no
payton doesnt need a new toy he needs soneone solid

Keep both firsts or

Trade one first and the second ( that Goodell didn't take away this year) for a sub 6 position first rounder

Re: In Jimmy Graham trade, Mickey Loomis says Saints used 'asset' on offense to help fix defense
 

I never said anything about getting a receiver. Trade up to get someone like Ray or Beasley.

We would have this
Ray/Beasley
Perryman
McKinnley

Re: In Jimmy Graham trade, Mickey Loomis says Saints used 'asset' on offense to help fix defense
 

trade up take Mariota and deal with Philli. he will not get passed the jets. we have almost enough to do a deal with the redskins now. probably need to add a pick to the mix. no way the skins trade inter conference to the eagles. could a deal already be in the works?

1st 2015, 1st 2016 and 2nd 2015 2nd 2016. plus+?

any Philli defensive players you want in the mix? Kiko Alonso?
hell they are giving stuff away now a days anyways.

Kiko Alonso 1st 2015, 2nd 2015 and 1st 2016, 2nd 2016

ok now that would help the defense

or keep Marito and let him groom under Drew for a years

:beer:

Re: In Jimmy Graham trade, Mickey Loomis says Saints used 'asset' on offense to help fix defense
 

I hope we get a good DL with the #13 pick and then I could easily see us picking Perryman with the #31 pick.

Re: In Jimmy Graham trade, Mickey Loomis says Saints used 'asset' on offense to help fix defense
 

I would like to see us use that 13th pick to slowly get more picks. Great talent can be had around 23rd to 27th pick and get a 2nd and possibly a 4th. We might actually be seeing the Saints use a page out of the Patriots book and start to stockpile picks. I believe we have a perfect shot at getting Perryman now.

Re: In Jimmy Graham trade, Mickey Loomis says Saints used 'asset' on offense to help fix defense
 

Don't trade up. Pick talent at both spots.

Re: In Jimmy Graham trade, Mickey Loomis says Saints used 'asset' on offense to help fix defense
 

I really want Shelton and he is the only player I would consider moving up for. But that limits our ability to make multiple picks in this draft that is loaded with talent at positions of need.

I'd rather take Collins at 13 and a LB'er at 31. Having two first round picks with this much talent in the first round is something we haven't had in a very long time. With the new infusion of scouting and coaching talent this has the potential to be one of our better drafts.

In the second round we could go for another LB'er. And depending on free agency I would take a CB in the third or a TE.

Re: In Jimmy Graham trade, Mickey Loomis says Saints used 'asset' on offense to help fix defense
 

As long as we don't end up with another SJB. Sheesh...talk about a waste of a pick.

Re: In Jimmy Graham trade, Mickey Loomis says Saints used 'asset' on offense to help fix defense
 

Please god, not another trade up. Can you say 'Sedrick Ellis'? Use the picks we've got or even trade down a little.

Re: In Jimmy Graham trade, Mickey Loomis says Saints used 'asset' on offense to help fix defense
 

Ok thats good. But fix the O-Line please.

Re: In Jimmy Graham trade, Mickey Loomis says Saints used 'asset' on offense to help fix defense
 

I think you gotta look at a bigger picture. We have the draft pick but also $2M+$25M cap room. Too narrow of a view if you try and plug the 31 pick we rec'd as a single solution to our Defense.