Latest on potential Chris Olave trade: Analyzing potential highest price, interest, and do the Saints even want to deal him before the deadline?
New Orleans has a prized gem for the trade deadline. Will they deal him?
The New Orleans Saints hold the keys to a rather expensive vehicle over the next couple of weeks. As the Nov. 4 NFL trade deadline looms, the Saints have a handful of intriguing trade pieces that they could look to deal to contending rosters.
Wide receiver Chris Olave headlines that list of names, so where do things stand between him and the team currently? What sort of price is realistic and worth it for New Orleans to trade Olave away? Which teams may be interested in the coming weeks to improve their offense?
Saints could prefer to keep Olave and trade away other roster assets
It won’t shock me if New Orleans looks elsewhere to acquire draft capital in the next couple of weeks, outside of trading Olave. Keeping him in the fold for the long-term is certainly on their radar, and the wideout has even confirmed as such on multiple occasions when he has mentioned ongoing contract talks that were happening in the offseason as well. The Saints don’t want to move on just for the sake of moving on.
“It’s been like that all year, in the offseason. Even right now, I ain’t really been on social media, but I know it’s cooking right now that we’re 1-5. So, there’s always rumors, the internet trying to always create some buzz. But I had a conversation with the people in the building so I’m very confident.” — Olave on getting a new deal done with Saints
Multiple insiders have confirmed this sort of notion that New Orleans is/have been testing the waters with the young receiver about a new contract. They haven’t turned the page with Olave quite yet, as they look for ways to improve at the deadline.
“The Saints have been trying to work out a long-term contract for receiver Chris Olave despite his name being attached to teams looking for pass catchers.” — Dianna Russini
“Olave, 25, sounded confident speaking to reporters about the possibility of sticking around New Orleans long term. Not only have he and the team been in discussions about a potential extension for several months, but the club has been connecting with him, he said Sunday.” — Katherine Terrell
Olave has heard the rumors about his name and potential buzz from other teams, but he is focused on blocking that out to keep trying to help the Saints. With a performance like the one he had in Week 7 (98 yards, two touchdowns), it’s clear he is not letting the deadline talk get in his way of production.
Bidding on Olave could reach a point where the Saints feel pushed to move him
I discussed a potential top offer hypothetical with A to Z Pittsburgh’s Rob Gregson recently. He laid out what offer for Olave would be his “top dollar” sort of return in exchange for the Saints’ top wide receiver. If New Orleans receives this sort of offer, it would be tough to turn down as they sit at 1-6 after seven weeks of play.
“The Steelers just dropped 31 points and saw Pat Freiermuth record arguably the best stat line of his career after being invisible all season. To say they would sell the farm for a WR feels a tad rich, but the team still needs another option on the perimeter, make no bones about it.
The absolute most I could see Pittsburgh giving up in terms of pure draft capital would be a second round pick in 2026. If the Saints wanted a player, say like Alex Highsmith or Calvin Austin III, I would say a day three pick in the 2027 NFL draft attached to the asset.
I think the Steelers want to have their cake and eat it too. That may not be the best for negotiations, but it tends to be how Khan and co. operate.” — Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports
This sort of offer is most likely the top price for Olave, who almost certainly won’t net a first-round pick. A second-rounder from a team who will be picking in the middle – to back half of round two makes sense and would supply the Saints with more ammo to make their roster younger.
If New Orleans chooses to keep Olave in the fold, speedy WR/returner Rashid Shaheed is an expiring contract who has also generated some interest around the NFL. The Saints could look to shop him in order to get an asset in return, especially if they don’t see themselves extending him before he hits free agency in the upcoming offseason.
Other potential teams who should have interest in Olave or Shaheed
Thinking about other potential contenders who could use more playmaking ability in the pass game – and a few stand out other than the Steelers. The New York Giants lost Malik Nabers for the season due to injury, and they’ve already checked in with the Saints about their receivers earlier this month. That makes sense with a rookie quarterback looking to improve with Jaxson Dart.
Additionally, the Buffalo Bills lack a bit of upside at the wideout position and could look to double down on free agent and draft moves from recent seasons by trading for another speedy pass catcher at the trade deadline. The New England Patriots are the other team that pops into mind due to their sudden emergence under Mike Vrabel. Why not give Drake Maye, an MVP candidate, yet another weapon to throw to this season and possibly beyond?
All in all, New Orleans will receive interest in the next couple weeks as the deadline approaches. They’ll have to make the bold decision to trade one of their top receivers or stand pat in that area and attempt to move other players in exchange for draft compensation.
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