The New Orleans Saints showed flashes of improvement late last season, but let’s be clear - standing pat this offseason would be a mistake. The cornerback room, in particular, remains a work in progress, and if the Saints want to stay competitive in a division that’s quietly getting better, they need to keep building.
Early in the season, the secondary struggled - and not just in isolated moments. The pass defense was consistently vulnerable, especially during the team’s transition to a more zone-heavy scheme.
That adjustment was always going to take time, particularly for players who’d thrived in man coverage. But the results?
Rough. Opposing quarterbacks had little trouble finding soft spots, and the defense paid the price.
One of the biggest questions heading into 2026 is whether the Saints have a true CB1 on the roster. Quincy Riley, Kool-Aid McKinstry, and Alontae Taylor each had moments - Riley, in particular, showed growth as the season progressed - but none of them locked down that top corner role. McKinstry might have the highest ceiling of the group, but banking on him to make that leap without a contingency plan would be risky.
That’s why this offseason needs to be about more than just tweaking around the edges. The Saints should be actively searching for a potential No. 1 corner, adding depth to the boundary, and preparing for the likely departure of Alontae Taylor in free agency.
If Taylor walks and the team only replaces him in the slot without addressing the outside, they’re setting themselves up for trouble. One injury or one developmental setback, and suddenly the secondary is back in crisis mode.
Let’s talk options.
Slot Cornerback: Plugging the Immediate Hole
If Taylor does head elsewhere - and that’s looking more and more like the direction this is heading - the Saints will need to find a new slot defender. Free agency offers a few intriguing, budget-friendly possibilities.
Guys like Amik Robertson and Kader Kohou won’t break the bank and could be solid fits in Brandon Staley’s system. Both bring experience and versatility, and they could be signed to multi-year deals that provide some roster stability.
In the draft, there are also some names to watch. Caleb Downs is a first-round talent who could thrive in the slot with his instincts and physicality. Kieonte Scott, a potential Day 2 pick, plays with a similar edge to Taylor and could step in with a relatively smooth transition.
Boundary Corner: The Bigger Long-Term Question
Replacing Taylor is one thing. But the bigger issue is whether the Saints have enough firepower on the outside. If McKinstry and Riley don’t take that next step - and that’s still a big “if” - the Saints could find themselves without a true boundary presence capable of locking down top receivers.
That’s why adding another outside corner has to be a priority. Not just for depth, but for competition and upside. Injuries happen, development isn’t linear, and you don’t want to be scrambling in October because the depth chart didn’t hold up.
Free agency might not be the ideal path here. The Saints have other financial needs to address, and investing big money in a veteran outside corner might not make sense given their current cap situation. Instead, the draft is where they should focus their search.
And the good news? This year’s draft class has talent at cornerback across all three days.
Whether it’s a first-rounder like Mansoor Delane or Jermod McCoy, a Day 2 pick in the mold of McKinstry, or a Day 3 flyer like Riley was last year, there are options. The key is to find a guy they believe in - someone who fits the system, brings the right mentality, and can push for playing time right away.
Bottom Line
The Saints don’t need to overhaul their entire secondary, but they absolutely need to keep building it. Banking on internal development alone is a gamble, especially when the unit was exposed for long stretches last season. Whether it’s through the draft, free agency, or a combination of both, New Orleans needs to come out of this offseason with a clear plan at cornerback - one that includes a new slot option and at least one more boundary presence.
Because in today’s NFL, if you can’t cover, you can’t compete. And the Saints still have work to do.