The New Orleans Saints waited until the third round of the NFL draft to address the cornerback position, but despite being tight to the salary cap ceiling they might not be done adding to the position before the 2021 season.
With a handful of big-name veterans remaining on the market, the Saints reportedly brought in former Alabama star Dre Kirkpatrick for a visit this week, according to multiple reports.
Kirkpatrick played the first eight seasons of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals after being selected No. 17 overall in the 2012 NFL draft, but played for the Arizona Cardinals last season on a 1-year, $2 deal. He logged three interceptions and 7 passes defensed in Arizona across from former LSU star Patrick Peterson, who signed with the Vikings this offseason.
The Gadsden, Alabama native starred for the Crimson Tide from 2009-'11, including the 2011 national championship victory over LSU.
Kirkpatrick represents a veteran option the Saints could add at minimal cost with a crowded salary cap table. As of June 1 the Saints were $348,000 clear of the cap ceiling -- but have yet to officially sign any of their six-player draft class to their slotted contracts.
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One of those rookies is former Stanford cornerback Paulson Adebo, who profiles as a potential impact cover-corner across from Marshon Lattimore. The Saints will be looking to replace the production of veteran Janoris Jenkins who departed to join the Tennessee Titans in free agency.
If the Saints did clear space to add veteran cornerback depth, a fair number of well-known names remain unsigned as the 2021 season approaches. Along with Kirkpatrick, some of those names include:
- Johnathan Joseph
- Prince Amukamara
- Blidi Wreh-Wilson
- Josh Norman
- Tramaine Brock
- Richard Sherman
- DJ Hayden
- Cre'Von LeBlanc
- Nickell Robey-Coleman
With a veteran addition, the Saints would likely prioritize man-coverage skills -- as they did with Adebo in the draft -- to fit their scheme in Dennis Allen's system. In 2020 the Saints played 2-man coverage more than any other team, which features two deep safeties and relies on both outside corners to lock up in man-to-man coverage.
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Whomever the Saints brought in would join a cornerback room that currently features Lattimore -- playing on his 5th-year rookie option -- and Adebo, along with:
- Patrick Robinson
- PJ Williams
- Ken Crawley
- Keith Washington Jr.
- Deuce Wallace
- Grant Haley
- JT Gray
- Lawrence Woods
- Bryce Thompson
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