The Colts should consider using the Saints’ poor start to the year to their advantage by trading for edge rusher Carl Granderson
Saints top pass rusher Carl Granderson should be a target for the Colts ahead of the 2025 NFL trade deadline.
The Indianapolis Colts sit alone at the top of the AFC South, AFC, and NFL rankings with a league-best 6-1 record. It’s been a fantastic season, and the team is coming off arguably its most impressive win of the year in Week 7. The Colts’ offense flat-out dominated the Los Angeles Chargers on the road, and if anyone was doubting this team before, my guess is they are quiet today.
It would be a massive missed opportunity if the Colts didn’t capitalize on their early-season success. While their offense dominated the Chargers in Week 7, their defense left much to be desired. The team’s two most significant needs are corner and edge rusher.
The NFL trade deadline is quickly approaching, and the Colts need to scour the market to find an upgrade at at least one of these positions. One option at edge that the Colts should seriously consider is the New Orleans Saints’ Carl Granderson.
Carl Granderson looked like the Saints’ best defensive player to start the year
Granderson was quite clearly the best defensive lineman for New Orleans for the first month of play. He’s struggled a bit over the past couple of games and recorded one of the lowest PFF grades of any Saints defender in Week 7.
That said, he is the Saints’ best edge player at setting the edge and keeping a quarterback contained. With that, he also makes the most consistent plays in the run game. His play has become notably more balanced since his career began with the Saints. Back then, his pass rush prowess got him on the field, but now, he’s relied upon constantly in New Orleans.
Why the Saints could trade Carl Granderson
Moving Granderson makes sense for New Orleans simply because the return will be better than most of its other options to ship out amid another frustrating season. Granderson continues to improve and leads the team in sacks with 4.5. Still, his ceiling is a bit limited given the price tag on his contract. If New Orleans gets the right offer, moving Granderson may be the best play for the future of the DL and overall unit.
Why Carl Granderson makes sense to be a target for the Colts ahead of the NFL trade deadline
The Colts have disrupters on the line in Laiatu Latu and DeForest Buckner. They need another consistent pass rusher on the opposite edge. The Saints are 1-6 and look far away from being a team that can be competitive on Sundays.
They should certainly be sellers at the deadline, and Granderson seems like the best Colts fit on their roster. Granderson has 4.5 sacks this season and recorded one each in the first four weeks. Since then, teams have sent a lot of attention his way to take him out of games and force other Saints players to beat them.
That wouldn’t be the case for him on the Colts. He wouldn’t be my first choice, but he would be a clear upgrade. Another enticing aspect of Granderson is his contract. He is owed less than one million for the rest of this year and would have a cap hit of only $12.75 million in the next two years. So, the team can move on after 2026 if it wants. Because of the low cap hit this season, the Colts could likely afford to trade for Granderson and another player at the deadline, preferably a CB.
How much would it cost for the Saints to trade Carl Granderson
Considering the widespread need for pass rushers around the NFL, getting a mid-round pick for Granderson is fair and necessary. A third-round selection seems hefty, so the Saints would probably need to send back a late-day three pick in 2026 or 2027 in that scenario.
The Saints shouldn’t trade him away for anything less than a fourth-round selection, though. At that point, the value wouldn’t match up to what he provides them. Not to mention, the market has proven to pay that sort of price for his caliber of player in recent years.
Indianapolis Colts News
Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips should be a top target for the Colts ahead of the NFL Trade Deadline
The Colts should consider trading for Dolphins former first round pick Jaelan Phillips
