St. Kilda is reportedly set to offer a huge $1.7 million deal to a ruckman who is yet to play an AFL game.
20-year-old Sam Draper is currently on Essendon's list, and has been a priority target for the Saints for some time, but he is yet to play an AFL game, and has had a variety of injury issues.
Draper tore his ACL in May, meaning he will miss the rest of the 2019 season.
However, that hasn't deterred St. Kilda, who are indicating that they will offer Draper a four-year deal, according to Fox Footy's Tom Morris.
MORE: Docherty and Curnow re-sign | Clarkson to take Blues job, says Dixon
The Saints have made no secret of their desire to replinish their big man stocks, going hard after Scott Lycett last year before losing the race to Port Adelaide.
The ruck stocks at Moorabbin are not hugely strong, with young Rowan Marshall the only ruckman locked into next year.
Billy Longer and Lewis Pierce are out of contract come the end of the year.
The Saints have had a checkered history with their recruitment, most recently with Sydney midfielder Dan Hannebery, who was out for the first 13 games of the year before making his debut in a disappointing loss to Brisbane last week.
Before him, the acquisitions of Jake Carlisle and Nathan Freeman have not worked for the Saints, with Carlisle struggling with form and injuries, whilst Freeman was delisted last year.
