Few New Orleans Saints players did more to help themselves in the team's first preseason game than Zach Wilson. The backup quarterback had been stuck behind Spencer Rattler throughout training camp, but the opportunity to play against another team in a real game situation brought out the best in him. Wilson replaced Rattler in the second quarter of Saturday's exhibition game with the Jacksonville Jaguars and went 11-of-16 for 145 yards, leading an efficient nine-play, 84-yard drive in the final minute before halftime to kick a field goal and extend the Saints' lead. That's after Wilson threw what looked like a 28-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Bub Means on the previous drive, but the replay official found Means went out of bounds at the 1-yard line. Wilson hit rookie tight end Oscar Delp for a no-doubt touchdown on the next play from scrimmage. The Florida Times-Union sports columnist Ryan O'Halloran was so impressed he argued the Jaguars shouldn't fly back to Jacksonville without trading for him: "Flip a late-round pick to New Orleans at halftime and have Zach Wilson hop aboard the charter home." Sure, he was competing against another team's backups, but Wilson looked like he belonged. He hit multiple passes for gains of 20-plus yards, navigated pressure, and got the team out of some jams. Wilson hasn't lived up to his billing as a former second overall draft pick but you can see there's talent there. Maybe he's worth holding onto to develop as a backup for Tyler Shough. Jacksonville's backups were less impressive. Nick Mullens was pulled after going 3-of-7 for just 33 yards and an interception. Carter Bradley turned the ball over, too, and took three sacks while completing 10 of his 17 passes for 105 yards. The Jaguars are a playoff team looking to make some noise, and they could use a stronger backup plan if something happens to Trevor Lawrence. With all seven of their 2027 NFL Draft picks in hand, they could make it worth New Orleans' while. These teams did a rare player-for-player swap last summer when the Jaguars acquired nose tackle Khalen Saunders from the Saints for backup center Luke Fortner, who started 10 games in New Orleans. Getting a pick back for a player the Saints didn't expect much out of when they signed him wouldn't be the worst thing. New Orleans doesn't own their choices in Rounds 6 or 7, but they are getting a sixth rounder back from the Los Angeles Chargers in 2027. Is a late-round pick in next year's draft worth shipping out their third-string quarterback? Maybe, maybe not.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Jaguars beat reporter: Team shouldn't leave without Saints QB trade