Much has been made this offseason about the NFL's bleak safety market, which saw more than a dozen big-named veterans waived just before the start of free agency.
The demand for cornerbacks hasn’t been so hot either.
The Kansas City Chiefs received just a third-round pick — for the 2025 draft — and swapped seventh-round picks for All-Pro corner L’Jarius Sneed when they traded him to the Tennessee Titans last month. The fact the Titans still had to give Sneed a new four-year, $76.4 million contract likely hampered the Chiefs’ haul, but the deal was the latest in a recent line of trades involving star cornerbacks and underwhelming returns. Elsewhere, Jalen Ramsey, Carlton Davis and Rasul Douglas each fetched a third-rounder and ancillary parts over the last year.
The lackluster hauls are something for the New Orleans Saints to keep in mind as they weigh whether to trade Marshon Lattimore this offseason.
Financially, it would make more sense for the Saints to deal Lattimore after June 1 — if they indeed want to move on. General manager Mickey Loomis has been tight-lipped about the team’s intentions — “nothing’s changed,” he said last month — but New Orleans could tip its hand in how it goes about this year’s NFL draft.
Will the Saints draft Lattimore’s eventual replacement?
The Saints appear to have other pressing needs, but there are first-round talents — including a prospect compared often to Lattimore — who could make sense for New Orleans if Lattimore isn’t on the roster come next fall. Beyond that, New Orleans could be in the market for an upgrade at nickel and/or a replacement for Isaac Yiadom, who left to join the San Francisco 49ers in free agency.
Need level: Low (But medium if they trade Marshon Lattimore)
Players on the roster
- Marshon Lattimore
- Paulson Adebo
- Alontae Taylor
- Faion Hicks
- Rejzohn Wright
Drafted under college scouting director Jeff Ireland (round-overall pick, year)
- CB Alontae Taylor (2-49, 2022)
- CB Paulson Adebo (3-76, 2021)
- S/CB C.J. Gardner-Johnson (4-105, 2019)
- CB Natrell Jamerson (5-164, 2018)
- CB Kamrin Moore (6-189, 2018)
- CB Marshon Lattimore (1-11, 2017)
Average CB drafted under Ireland: 5-foot-11, 199.7 pounds
Potential fits
Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell (6-0, 193): ESPN and the NFL Network both compared Mitchell to Lattimore — and the comparison might be spot on. Not only are both corners almost the same height — Mitchell is one-eighth of an inch taller — but they both have 31-inch arms, weigh two pounds apart and posted nearly identical 40 times. At the scouting combine, Mitchell ran a 4.33 40-yard dash — even faster than Lattimore’s 4.36. Beyond the measurements, Mitchell plays with the same aggressive speed that has made Lattimore a lockdown corner in the NFL. A second-team All-American last season, Mitchell led Toledo with 18 pass breakups and set a school record with 46 PBUs over his five years in college. Because of the comparisons to Lattimore, Mitchell has also been commonly linked to Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos — who could be in the market for another top corner across from Patrick Surtain II.
Iowa CB Cooper DeJean (6-0, 203): Draft analysts have said DeJean can play multiple spots, a sign of his overall talent. The Iowa product could likely be a safety in the NFL, but his best fit might be at corner — either inside or out. Though New Orleans is known for its aggressive man-to-man coverage under coach Dennis Allen, the Saints do play a lot of zone, and DeJean has excellent ball-tracking skills that could make him a great fit in Allen’s defense. At Iowa, he had three pick-sixes in 2022 and had seven interceptions over the last two seasons. To go with his above-average vision, DeJean plays at an elite speed. Earlier this month, he ran a 4.43 and recorded 38½ inches in the vertical jump at Iowa’s pro day. Those were impressive numbers, especially considering he’s recovering from a fractured fibula that ended his season early.
Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (5-11, 196): McKinstry doesn’t exactly fall in the range of where the Saints hold first- and second-round picks, so he’s probably not an option unless he unexpectedly falls, New Orleans decides to trade up from No. 45 or gets bold at No. 14. That said, LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas said McKinstry was the best corner he went against in college last year. He’s got a strong football IQ and matches that with disciplined play. McKinstry didn’t record an interception last year, but was still named a first-team All-American. His teammate, cornerback Terrion Arnold, likely will be drafted before him, though McKinstry is still worthy of the attention.
Boston College CB Elijah Jones (6-1,185): Jones may have more of a slender frame than what the Saints want in a corner, but the six-year senior could be a fit with his aggressive approach in man-to-man matchups. At Boston College, Jones excelled as a press corner, and he used that physicality to his advantage. His 28 pass breakups over the last two years led the program, and he also had seven interceptions in that span. Sometimes, Jones’ over-aggression cost him, and according to The Athletic, Jones “struggles to recover positioning after missteps.” As of now, Jones is projected to be a fifth-round selection, but he could be the type of flyer worth taking if the Saints are looking to replace Yiadom. Jones is mostly an outside corner, though 20.8% of his snaps last year came in the slot.
Others to know
Alabama CB Terrion Arnold (5-11, 189), Iowa State CB T.J. Tampa (6-0, 194), South Dakota CB Myles Harden (5-10, 195)