This week isn't just about the start of NFL free agency. The new league year kicking off on Wednesday also opens the door for trades to be consummated around the league. While they haven't made many high-profile moves at this point in the calendar in recent years, the New Orleans Saints have surprised us before. And one name to watch for them is Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert.
Per NFL insider Josina Anderson, the Eagles are seeking a fourth round draft pick for Goedert, but may have to pay part of his salary to get it done. At least when dealing with cap-strapped teams like the Saints. Goedert is only due the minimum base salary in 2025 ($1,255,000), but the bigger charge is his $13,995,000 option. The Eagles are on the hook for more than $21 million in dead money so getting them to take on more money is a hard sell.
The good news is, if the Saints are interested, they own two fourth rounders to barter with: their own choice at No. 111 and the Washington Commanders' pick at No. 130, coming back from the Marshon Lattimore trade. They can afford to pay that price. Anderson adds that the Eagles would be willing to take a fourth rounder in 2026 or 2027, so they must feel that's the kind of compensation they'd get if Goedert walked away in free agency. We should also mention the Saints have done business with the Eagles before, but to mixed results.
So what's the appeal? Goedert has been a consistent top-10 tight end in the NFL for years now, even while dealing with injuries that limited him to 10, 14, and 12 games in the last three seasons. He's one of the best run-blocking tight ends in the game and remains an efficient pass catcher, though he doesn't offer the same downfield agility he boasted earlier in his career. He also knows the offense Kellen Moore is installing with the Saints inside and out. New Orleans has a lot of instability at the position between Juwan Johnson's free agency and Foster Moreau's injury, and earlier this offseason general manager Mickey Loomis suggested they would need two moves to address it.
Goedert, who turned 30 in January, might be part of the solution. Maybe. The Saints would be getting older offensively and he'll be wanting a new contract (he's in the last year of his current deal). It's worth noting this is a very deep draft class at tight end and they could get a comparable talent on a rookie deal instead. But if New Orleans is looking for experience in Moore's system, they won't find it in the draft.
