Who would most likely be the number 1 ruck at Saints this season? You'd think it would have to be Billy Longer. At $260k surely he generates cash and scores decently for an upgrade mid year.
Too many variables with Gawn for R2, you'd want to have a look first at how he goes with Preuss. They have drafted Preuss so they get longevity out of Gawn so he is there for the next 5 years. I would assume that Preuss will cut into a fair chunk of Gawn's ruck time if they're out there together.
My smokey for R2 is Hickey, with the change of scenery and the class around him, I can see his averaging spiking from 89 to close to 100. If Gawn is a must have by mid year, you could always sideways trade Hickey and bit of change to him. Nic Nat is meant to be coming back Rnd 12, so would be ideal you would have thought. Only player to challenge him is Vardy and he's a bit of a slouch.