Despite signing a one-year contract extension this offseason, there’s still a chance that the New Orleans Saints could trade defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd. According to NFLTradeRumors, they believe Shepherd will likely be in another uniform, and that could be true since they made the trade for Davon Godchaux to salvage their defensive line. However, the contract extension did catch many by surprise despite the trade since they were expecting the Saints to send Shepherd to a new roster since they have a deep depth now. Even though Cameron Jordan and DeMario Davis have gotten most of the attention of trade rumors this past offseason, no one should look past Shepherd, as he may need a reset with a new team that is looking to upgrade their unit.
Originally selected in the 2018 NFL Draft, the former Fort Hays State product began his career with the New York Jets, hoping to carve out a starting role, but couldn’t get there as injuries were catching up to him early in his career. Even though he’s been playing better by totaling his sack total with the New Orleans Saints than he did with the Jets, the Saints still have one of the worst run defenses in the league. If the Saints endure another losing season, which is likely due to the quarterback situation between Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler, the team could trade him to these four rosters this year.
Could the Saints Trade Former Third Rounder Nathan Shepherd? – 4 Suitors Emerge
Possible Next Teams
Los Angeles Chargers
Head Coach Jim Harbaugh wants to win football games in the trenches, but the Chargers have one of the weakest defensive lines in the league. Between losing Morgan Fox and Poona Ford, the team will have to navigate without these two, and they’re betting their chances again on Teair Tart and bringing journeyman Da’Shawn Hand. It doesn’t look promising for a team that wants to have an old-school defense, and even though Shepherd might not single-handedly improve this unit, they could provide some freedom for Tart to have another body like he had pairing up with Ford.
Baltimore Ravens
Meanwhile, the Ravens need a significant upgrade for the defense. Nnamdi Madubuike, Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy and Roquan Smith are the main contributors to be a difference maker. While Travis Jones and Broderick Washington provide some relief, it’s not as consistent. Shepherd is still improving by season, but could be another helpful hand behind John Jenkins.
Dallas Cowboys
However, it wouldn’t hurt for the Dallas Cowboys to invest in the defense again. Osa Odighizuwa is returning on a new deal, but the weakest defensive lineman on this unit is arguably Solomon Thomas, who isn’t nearly as promising. While they did bring back Dante Fowler Jr. to offer some bolstering, they need a solid body alongside Odighizuwa and Shepherd could share the snaps with Thomas to create that separation.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs don’t need another defensive lineman, but it’d be nice to have the depth behind bolstering weapons like Mike Danna, Chris Jones, George Karlaftis and Felix Anudike-Uzomah. Since the Chiefs have done well adding more defensive linemen in their department, they could find a spark in Shepherd. He won’t get the full-time duties, but it provides more stability if they can get him.
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