Another NFL team may do the Saints a huge favor with bold move that affects Kellen Moore's offense ahead of the trade deadline

The New Orleans Saints should be open for business in the coming weeks when it comes to trading potential assets to other teams in exchange for draft compensation and/or younger players with upside. The offensive line unit for Kellen Moore could see a veteran head out the door, according to a recent report from ESPN as well.

Saints may be open to trading guard Cesar Ruiz

According to NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, the Saints are a team that the entire league is monitoring closely when it comes to trading assets away before the deadline.

"Many people around the league are watching the 1-7 Saints closely near the trade deadline. What transpires over the next week will say something about where the Saints feel they stand in the roster-building process -- which, to most, should be rebuilding. But New Orleans and GM Mickey Loomis have tried staving that reality off for a while. Just two months ago, New Orleans traded fourth- and seventh-round picks to Denver for wide receiver Devaughn Vele." -- ESPN

Fowler mentioned Ruiz specifically as a veteran who may be available at the right price. The NFL clearly thinks New Orleans may move on from him soon.

"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 Ruiz might be available at the right price. Change feels inevitable for the Saints this offseason regardless, with defensive staples such as Demario Davis and Cameron Jordan both turning 37 next year and Alvin Kamara turning 31." -- ESPN

Why the Saints should trade Cesar Ruiz right now

If there is interest in acquiring Ruiz, the Saints should jump on the opportunity. Ruiz signed a four-year extension in 2023, and that deal has not blossomed very well. Ruiz has struggled mightily at times this season, and there was a clear downgrade in his performance starting last season.

The experienced lineman is under contract through 2027, and his cap number is nearly $15M per season over the next two years. Even with dead cap involved, moving on from Ruiz makes the most sense for the Saints in the long-term. A young player like Torricelli Simpkins III could step in for reps for the remainder of this season, and New Orleans could look for a replacement in free agency or the 2026 NFL Draft.

The guard is ranked as one of the worst guards in football when it comes to run blocking, via Pro Football Focus. He ranks 73rd/81 guards around the league (46 run blocking grade), and the film confirms that notion.

Ruiz shouldn't be in Kellen Moore's long-term plans, and another team could hand them an opportunity to move on from him.