Saints Aim to Balance present Success with Future Development Following Trades
New Orleans Saints Head Coach Dennis Allen and General Manager Mickey Loomis signaled a commitment to both immediate competitiveness and long-term roster building with recent trades involving wide receiver Rashid shaheed and offensive tackle trevor Penning. The moves, announced this week, return draft capital while creating opportunities for other players on the roster.
Shaheed, a key component of the Saints’ offense, was the team’s second-leading receiver in 2023 with 44 receptions for 449 yards and two touchdowns, including an 87-yard touchdown catch. Penning, a 2022 first-round pick, started all six games he played this season and 29 of the 46 games he was available for, having transitioned from left tackle to right tackle and then to left guard during his tenure.
Despite losing two starters, Coach Dennis Moore emphasized the Saints’ continued focus on winning. “There’s a future component of this that’s real with what came back in return, but it provides opportunities for some guys that we feel really good about,” Moore said. He specifically highlighted Dillon Radunz‘s readiness to step into the left guard position, stating, “Dillon is going to play left guard, he’s going to play grate. He’s had some success in this league, he has played well when we’ve asked him to play.”
The receiver room will also see increased opportunities for players like Brandin Cooks, Devaughn Vele, and Tip Mason Tipton. moore acknowledged Shaheed’s unique skillset, noting, ”Obviously, there’s the vertical threat that Sheed has that is rare in this league. You lose that component.” However, he expressed confidence in the remaining receivers’ ability to contribute. “Cooksy has done it for a long time in his career,Vele and Tip have some speed to get downfield. So we feel like we’ve got some guys that will be able to supplement that and I’m excited for those guys’ opportunities moving forward.”
Shaheed consistently delivered explosive plays, scoring 13 touchdowns of 40-plus yards since 2022, including a 76-yard punt return and a 44-yard run. The Saints believe they can maintain a competitive edge while concurrently developing younger players and building for the future.
