The ripple effects from Wednesday’s Bradley Roby trade could be felt in Foxboro, Mass. And not just because Roby improves the New Orleans Saints defense that the New England Patriots will face in Week 3.
The Saints reportedly acquired Roby — Pro Football Focus’s 19th-highest-graded cornerback last season — from the Houston Texans to fill what had been their biggest roster hole. New Orleans had one Pro Bowl corner in Marshon Lattimore but lacked a quality second starter after releasing Janoris Jenkins in a salary dump and losing Patrick Robinson to retirement.
Some, including ESPN’s Dan Graziano, had speculated the Saints could address that need with a different trade: one for Patriots star Stephon Gilmore.