The New England Patriots have traded tight end Michael Hoomanawanui to the New Orleans Saints, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.

The Patriots will receive defensive end Akiem Hicks in exchange for Hoomanawanui, in a player-for-player swap, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The trade makes sense for both teams as the Patriots already have Michael Williams to fill the role of blocking tight end, while the Saints only have two tight ends on their roster.

Hoomanawanui was a healthy scratch on Sunday for the first time since coming to the Patriots from the St. Louis Rams in 2012.

Ben Watson and Josh Hill will still be the Saints' main pass-catching tight ends while Hoomanawanui will provide depth and blocking.

Nicks was drafted by the Saints in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He has 6.5 sacks in his career.

The defensive end will join the rotation on the Patriots' defensive line, bringing added depth to that unit.