With the 2025 NFL trade deadline nearing and the New Orleans Saints sitting at 1-7, it has become increasingly clear that the team needs to shift its focus toward the future. Selling veteran assets and clearing cap space should be at the forefront of their strategy, especially as they begin evaluating younger talent on the roster.
At the NFL Trade Deadline, the Saints should be ready to make moves for the future, and these two moves could do just that.
Sell: Saints LB Pete Werner
In a recent ESPN report, the buzz/rumors for each NFL team were listed, and for the Saints’ sell candidate, linebacker Pete Werner was chosen.
When nearing the trade deadline with a 1-7 record, selling needs to be a priority, and the Saints have options to choose from on the roster. One player in particular, Werner, is a likely candidate.
“New Orleans has tradeable assets, from wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed to corner Alontae Taylor and linebacker Pete Werner. The sense is the Saints will at least listen to offers on certain players. Teams I’ve spoken to are under the impression that guard Cesar… https://t.co/V8Ejq8i8oj
— Trizzy Trace (@tracegirouard48) October 29, 2025
Since signing a 3-year, $25 million contract extension, Werner has not shown the consistency the Saints have hoped for. This season, Werner has a D+ grade (68.2) in PFSN’s LB Impact Metrics. Underperforming plays like this are not good enough, and with younger LBs like Danny Stutsman and Isaiah Stalbird not just taking snaps but also, at times, outplaying Werner, it’s time to move on.
Buy: Carolina Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks
In 2024, Jonathon Brooks was drafted by the Panthers in the second round, but they had to wait for his rookie debut. During his final season at Texas, Brooks tore his ACL. His return was long-awaited, but after coming back from that horrific injury, nearing the end of the Season, Brooks re-tore the same ACL. Already having an injury history like this is worrisome, but for the Panthers, their running back room is actually one of the best aspects of the team. This could make Brooks available, and the Saints could try to reach a deal.
There are some hurdles with this deal. New Orleans has to be extremely careful buying at the trade deadline with little draft capital and a bad record. If other moves are made, like a Werner trade, then a low-risk long-term move could be made. New Orleans has actually already done a similar move this year, trading a 2026 sixth-round pick to the New England Patriots for WR Ja’lynn Polk and a 2028 seventh-round pick. The other issue is that this would be a deal made between division rivals. The price could be higher for the Saints. Still, with how the RB room has struggled, Brooks could be a smart move.
