New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced today that the team has acquired tight end David Thomasfrom the New England Patriots in exchange for a seventh-round draft choice in 2011.

Thomas is a fourth-year player who was a third-round draft choice of New England in 2006 out of the University of Texas. In 32 games played, the 6-3, 248-pounder has made 13 starts and caught 21 passes for 261 yards and a touchdown.

Known as a strong blocker, the 26-year old tight end helped the Patriots to their best rushing season in decades as he started a career-best 10 contests in 2008. Thomas has also played in three career postseason games, starting one.