The New Orleans Saints continue what has been an odd offseason for the suddenly fledgling franchise. Just days after trading Jimmy Graham, New Orleans has sent young wide receiver Kenny Stills to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Dannell Ellerbe and a third-round pick.
Getting a pick back in this deal makes some sense. Acquiring a free-agent bust in Ellerbe for a receiver that put up 63 receptions for 931 yards and three scores last season makes absolutely no sense.
Stills, a standout at Oklahoma, joined the Saints as a fifth-round pick in 2013. He proceeded to lead the entire NFL with an average of 20 yards per reception his rookie season. Taking on an even larger role this past season, Stills caught 76 percent of the passes thrown in his direction. He’s a dynamic deep threat that will work wonders with newly acquired Jordan Cameron and wide receiver Jarvis Landry in Miami’s passing attack.
As it relates to what the Saints are getting in return, this is alarming for a number of reasons. Ellerbe has been a downright bust in Miami since signing a ridiculous five-year, $35 million contract with the team in 2013. He played in just one game this past season and found himself completely out of the Dolphins linebacker rotation. He is also set to count nearly $10 million against the cap in 2015—a number that the cash-strapped Saints can’t afford.
Yahoo Sports insider Rand Getlin was the first to report a trade was going down.
Photo: USA Today