The Saints traded a struggling blocker and exceptional receiver for an elite run-blocking center who won't necessarily provide great pass protection for Drew Brees.
Shortly after the team gave Mark Ingram the ninth-largest running back contract in the NFL (just behind Jamaal Charles in total dollars and guarantees), its Jimmy Graham trade brought the 31st overall draft pick and Seahawks center Max Unger to New Orleans. If there's a sign that New Orleans is shifting more toward a run-oriented attack to protect a defense that's finished 31st or worse in two of the last three years, this is it.
The Saints defense broke a record for yards allowed in 2012, rebounded spectacularly in 2013 and then plummeted back to 31st in total defense last season, as New Orleans failed to make the postseason from the historically bad NFC South. Coach Sean Payton could be taking a page from playbook of the 2014 Cowboys or 2013 Chargers: Protect a vulnerable defense with assets that breed a pulverizing, clock-churning run game.
In run-play percentage, the Cowboys jumped from 29th in 2013 to third in 2014, via teamrankings.com. The change greatly aided a defense that needed help but couldn't pull much cap spending to do so. The Chargers jumped from 17th in 2012 to seventh in 2013 and defeated heavy odds to reach the playoffs.
New Orleans finished 28th in run-play percentage last season and hasn't ranked higher than 27th since its Super Bowl run in 2009, when Payton had his team ninth in the same category.
The Saints are reacting to a salary cap plight and unsettling recent history while hoping to field a competitive roster, even if this trade doesn't necessarily create cap relief in 2015.
Unger has consistently ranked among the top five centers in Pro Football Focus' run-block grading, and New Orleans can boost its line with either of two first-round picks. Left tackle Terron Armstead enters his third season after getting early action as a raw prospect at a position that requires time to develop. The offensive line is now relatively strong across but could benefit from a blocking tight end in free agency . . . or a complete prospect like projected early-round pick Maxx Williams of Minnesota.
Recent Saints moves suggest a number of motives, and one is an increased reliance on the run game via Ingram, for good or bad.
Ingram emerged from bust to late-bloomer just in time. The former first-rounder finished second among playoff running backs in missed tackles forced in 2013, then followed up by bursting out of the gates last season. He started off 2014 fourth in yards per carry and first in rushing touchdowns through Week 2 before a broken hand cost him time into midseason. Ingram finished the year with a career-high 964 yards.