Saints rookie's performance could lead to a veteran getting traded
The New Orleans Saints have an intriguing position battle brewing as the season approaches. Rookie kicker Blake Grupe has had a very impressive preseason and training camp. He's gained steam in the competition. That being said, the Saints have two NFL kickers on their roster right now. Veteran Wil Lutz has been solid so far […]
The New Orleans Saints have an intriguing position battle brewing as the season approaches. Rookie kicker Blake Grupe has had a very impressive preseason and training camp. He's gained steam in the competition.
That being said, the Saints have two NFL kickers on their roster right now. Veteran Wil Lutz has been solid so far in the preseason, and he nailed a 51-yard FG on Sunday against the Chargers. He looks like he is back to full health, and that would be huge for the Saints.
Lutz was one of the best kickers in the NFL from 2018-2019. His last two seasons have been injury-riddled. Now, he has major competition to be the starting kicker for the Saints.
If Grupe beats out Lutz over the next couple of weeks, it would make sense to trade Lutz. The Saints could probably get a day three selection in next year's draft and clear some cap space.
It would be ideal if they could keep whichever kicker doesn't get the starting job on the practice squad, but that player would get scooped up by a different team very quickly. It isn't realistic. In that scenario, the Saints would receive no draft compensation in return.
In the end, Lutz probably gets the job. The two kickers have had similar performances, but Lutz has the veteran edge. He has been a leader for the Saints in the past, and that could help him as well.
© Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
