Ricky Williams a Saint?

The New Orleans Saints are interested in acquiring Texas running back Ricky Williams in the upcoming April draft. Saints coach Mike Ditka announced that the team would be willing to give up all of the team's six draft choices this season for a shot at getting Williams.

The Saints currently have one selection in each of the following rounds of the NFL Draft: 1st (pick #12), 3rd (pick #10), 4th (pick #12), 5th (pick #11), 6th (pick #10), and 7th (pick #12). Earlier in the off- season the Saints traded their second round pick (#42 overall) to the St. Louis Rams for wide receiver Eddie Kennison.

The Saints attempted to move up last year in the same manner by offering all of their picks to the Arizona Cardinals in an attempt to draft either Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf. The Cardinals refused the Saints and this year the Cleveland Browns have done the same. The Browns are unwilling to give up the first pick in this draft, as they have their sights set on quarterback Tim Couch.

The Saints are likely to approach other teams as well, most likely Philadelphia and Cincinnati, in order to trade up in the draft. When Eagles coach Andy Reid was asked what he thought of a possible trade with the Saints, he asked where the Saints picked in the first round, and when he was told #12 he quickly lost interest.

Saints officials have their work cut out for them if they hope to move up into the top three picks of the draft. Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Cincinnati all have their eyes set on a quarterback with their first round picks, and if they trade down with the Saints the quarterbacks they covet will most likely be long gone.

There is also the possibility that teams the Saints are trying to trade with could ask for players or future picks as well. Ditka seems reluctant to give up players, but he seems more than willing to give up future draft choices in order to get Williams. He was quoted as saying he would give up picks from now until 2010, because he wouldn't be here by that time anyway.

If there is to be any trade, Ditka said that it will probably not be announced until the eve of the draft or draft day itself. Time will tell.

In addition to trying to trade up to nab Williams, the Saints are also actively pursuing a trade with the New York Jets for wide receiver Alex Van Dyke. The Saints are offering a sixth round draft choice in this year's draft for Van Dyke, while the Jets are asking for at least a fourth round pick.