The winless Saints are starting to make moves in an effort to turn their season around.
New Orleans acquired tight end Michael Hoomanawanui from the Patriots in a trade Wednesday, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported. The Saints sent defensive end Akiem Hicks to New England, Rapoport added, per a source.
Without Jimmy Graham, who the Saints sent to Seattle in a trade in the offseason, New Orleans has struggled finishing on offense and starting tight end Benjamin Watson has just nine catches for 73 yards through three games. Hoomanawanui has played in two games in 2015, but has yet to make a catch.
Hicks will join an already fearsome Patriots pass rush in Foxborough that boasts Jamie Collins, Chandler Jones and Jabaal Sheard, who have a combined 8.5 sacks this season. Hicks has two tackles in his three starts this season and, in his years in the league, has compiled 6.5 sacks.