The New Orleans Saints acquired linebacker Scott Shanle from the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday for an undisclosed draft pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.

The trade is pending the player passing a physical, the Saints said. Shanle is entering his fourth season in the NFL. He joined the Cowboys in 2004, playing on special teams and starting 11 games. In 2005, he had 50 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

“He runs well. He’s played special teams. He’s smart,” Payton said. “It’s another player for us to put at (linebacker). It’s an area we need to keep looking at.”

The Saints also cut seven players Wednesday, offensive guards Darnell Alford, Stefon Wheeler and Pascal Matla; linebackers Nate Wayne and Russel Rabe; cornerback Ray Williams; and back-up place-kicker Conor Hughes.