Jets Ship LB Jonathan Vilma to Saints For Conditional 4th Round Draft Pick

The New Orleans Saints began their 2008 defensive makeover by sending a conditional draft pick to the New York Jets for linebacker Jonathan Vilma. There is no official word yet on what the pick will start as or end as, but it is predicated on Vilma recovering from the knee injury that sidelined him for most of 2007.

Hailing from the U (Miami Hurricanes), Vilma was the 12th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2004 NFL Draft, and showed immediate promise for the Jets, winning the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, and earning a Pro Bowl berth in 2005. However, when Eric Mangini took over the reigns in 2006 and implemented the 3-4 defensive scheme, Vilma looked out of place and didn't fit the bill for bigger linebackers who take up space. He ended 2007 on a down note, injuring his knee in week 7 and ultimately being placed on injured reserve, further falling out of place with the coaching staff.

The Detroit Lions were also rumored to be interested in trading for Vilma for the past couple of days, and he was in Detroit for a physical on Wednesday, but the Saints offer was likely better and more convincing.

UPDATE 02/29/2008 12:20PM: John Clayton of ESPN reports that it is believed that the deal will be for a conditional 4th rounder in 2009, which could upgrade to a 3rd rounder based on Vilma's performance this coming year. Vilma is in the final year of his rookie deal signed in 2004, and there has been no indication the Saints are looking to sign him to a new deal before seeing what they are getting in 2008.