We noted earlier that the Patriots traded tight end Michael Hoomanawanui to the Saints, and now we know what the Patriots got back.
The Patriots got defensive end Akiem Hicks in the trade, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
The Saints are desperate for cap space and will save about $600,000 through this trade because Hicks costs more than Hoomananui: Hicks has a base salary of $1,529,500 this season, while Hoomanawanui has a base salary of $800,000. That means the Saints will pay Hoomanawanui $658,000 for the rest of the season and the Patriots will pay Hicks $1,258,778 for the rest of the season. Both Hicks and Hoomanawanui are free agents after this season.
Hicks has started all three games for the Saints this season. He’s the second player to join the Patriots’ defense via trade this week, following linebacker Jon Bostic, who arrived in a trade from the Bears.
