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Eagles, Saints swap several draft picks, including 2023 1st

Associated Press

Tags: Sports
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FILE - New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston prepares to pass the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Oct. 10, 2021, in Landover, Md. A person familiar with the situation says free agent Winston has agreed to return to the Saints. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Monday, March 21, 2022, because the agreement has not been announced. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams, File)
FILE -Chicago Bears quarterback Andy Dalton throws during pregame of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, in Detroit. New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says the club has signed veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. The move gives New Orleans a second experienced signal-caller behind returning starter Jameis Winston. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson, File)

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

FILE - New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston prepares to pass the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Oct. 10, 2021, in Landover, Md. A person familiar with the situation says free agent Winston has agreed to return to the Saints. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Monday, March 21, 2022, because the agreement has not been announced. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams, File)

The New Orleans Saints added an extra first-round pick in case they want to target a quarterback in this month’s draft.

The Saints acquired two first-round picks from the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday in a major swap of assets.

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The Eagles sent picks Nos. 16 and 19 and a sixth-rounder (No. 194) to the Saints for the 18th overall pick, a third-rounder (No. 101), a seventh-rounder (No. 237), a 2023 first-rounder and a 2024 second-rounder.

The move leaves both teams with two firsts later this month when the NFL holds its first draft in Las Vegas. Philadelphia kept the 15th overall pick it acquired from Miami in a draft swap last year.

The Saints brought back Jameis Winston on a two-year deal after pursuing Deshaun Watson, who was traded from Houston to Cleveland. New Orleans also signed veteran Andy Dalton to join Ian Book, a 2021 fourth-round pick out of Notre Dame.

Taysom Hill, who was 7-2 as a starting quarterback in relief of Drew Brees and Winston during the past two seasons, remains with the club as well, but is expected to serve in a more traditional tight end role in 2022.

Liberty’s Malik Willis, Mississippi’s Matt Corral, Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett, North Carolina’s Sam Howell, Nevada’s Carson Strong and Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder are projected to be the top six QBs drafted this month. The Saints could have their choice among those guys at No. 16, or they could package the two firsts to move up in the draft.

The Saints also have needs on the offensive line after losing three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead in free agency, and at safety following the retirement of three-time Pro Bowl pick Malcolm Jenkins.

The deal gives Philadelphia more draft capital in future years. The Eagles seem set on evaluating Jalen Hurts at quarterback for at least one more season and now have more flexibility with two firsts in 2023. They have 10 picks overall this month but more trades are likely.

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