Patriots coach Bill Belichick was using joint practices with the New Orleans Saints to prepare his team for the 2015 season.
But he was apparently doing a little window shopping as well.
On Tuesday, Belichick swung a trade for Saints return specialist Jalen Saunders, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed of the deal. The news was first reported by ESPN.
Belichick might have just been trying to avoid the clamorous post-cut free agency period with the deal. Saunders might have lost the return job to Marcus Murphy in New Orleans and was a cut candidate heading into the roster downsizing period.
Saunders, 22, was a fourth-round pick by the New York Jets during a regrettable 2014 draft piloted by short-term general manager John Idzik. Saunders was cut on Sept. 29 of that year, just three games into his rookie season.
Now, the speedy return threat has a new home in Foxborough. Per Rapoport, the deal is for a future conditional seventh-round pick.