NFL Trade Machine: Jahri Evans To Titans

Dec 28, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints guard Jahri Evans (73) blocks against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. New Orleans Saints defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Things have fallen silent on the NFL trade front recently, but don’t expect that to last much longer.  According to Peter King of Sports Illustrated, the New Orleans Saints, who have already dealt away three key players in Jimmy Graham, Ben Grubbs and Kenny Stills, could continue the fire sale prior to the draft.

"“The Saints will be a headline act. I don’t believe it involves Drew Brees, because I think the Saints are committed to at least one more season of Brees at quarterback. But I hear New Orleans wants to be even more active before the draft, and that could mean dealing stalwart guard Jahri Evans for a third- or fourth-round pick. Or it could mean signing or dealing defensive end Cam Jordan. As of today, the Saints are the biggest power players in the draft.”"

Evans is an interesting one.  The six-time Pro Bowler, a key component of their Super Bowl championship team, turns 32-years old in 2015.  Last season was not his best as a pro, earning a tough -6.5 rating from Pro Football Focus for his poor pass blocking.  However, the real issue for the Saints is his hefty $11 million salary cap number.

They need more breathing room and moving him out is one of the few good alternatives they have left short of unloading Drew Brees.  It’s just a matter of finding the right team to take him.

That would be the Tennessee Titans.

How It Benefits The Saints

As stated above, this deal is about the Saints getting a decent draft pick but more importantly financial freedom for what has been a suffocating salary cap crunch.  Unloading Evans would gain them an additional $6 million with the other $5 million being dead money they still have to pay.  It would give put them almost in position to have enough cash to sign their draft picks.

How It Benefits The Titans

Many things were wrong with the Titans offense last season but a big one was an inability to run the ball.  For the year they averaged just 90.4 yards per game, good for 26th in the league.  A big culprit of that issue was ineffective movement from the interior blockers, especially Andy Levitre.  One thing Jahri Evans did great last year was run block.  Also, his playoff experience and pedigree would be most helpful to what is still a very young offensive line.