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Who is Erik McCoy, the Saints' newest NFL draft pick, and what did they trade?

It’s been the mantra of the organization: If it’s player-specific and it’s a guy that they want, they are going to be aggressive, jump up and take that guy.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It’s that time that we've all been waiting for: The Saints have made their first pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

As expected, the Saints were aggressive Friday during Round 2 of the draft, not sitting back and waiting for that 62nd pick. Instead, they traded up with the Miami Dolphins.

They selected Erik McCoy, the 6’4”, 315 pound junior center out of Texas A&M. In picking McCoy, the Saints have addressed the need for depth in their offensive line.

The Black and Gold already signed former-Viking Nick Easton during the off-season. Now, they’ve added another flexible guard at center to fill the gap that Max Unger left after announcing his retirement following the 2018 season.

So, what did New Orleans give up to trade up with the Miami Dolphins in the second round?

ALSO: Forecast: Saints already have an A+ 2019 draft

Well, they swapped second round picks with the Dolphins, so Miami will now pick 62nd. Along with that, the Saints gave up one of their two sixth-round picks, plus a second-round pick for next year’s draft.

What they did get back was a fourth-round pick in this draft. As you look at it, originally the Saints were going to pick at the end of the second round and again in the fifth round. They were able to move up to an earlier second-round pick, a new fourth-round pick, one remaining sixth-round pick and two picks in the seventh-round.

The Saints have now traded up in the last 12 of the last 13 NFL Drafts under head coach Sean Payton. This is the seventh season they have moved up in the draft.

It’s been the mantra of this organization: If it’s player-specific and it’s a guy that they want, they are going to be aggressive, jump up and take that guy. They’ve done it again tonight.

ALSO: Report: Saints tight end Benjamin Watson could rejoin NFL after birth of twins

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