3 Free Agent Cornerbacks Saints Could Sign to Bolster Depth Chart

The New Orleans Saints are a little thin at cornerback heading into the 2021 season after they released Janoris Jenkins this offseason for salary cap reasons.

As of now, Marshon Lattimore and C.J. Gardner-Johnson are the team’s two top corners with rookie Paulson Adebo likely as the third man on the depth chart.

“We’d love to have another corner in the building and create some depth,” Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said. “I like the guys that we’ve got but I think that’s one of those positions that you can never have enough.”

If Loomis and company are looking to bolster the position, and they should be since they play in a division with Tom Brady, there are a few ways they could go. 

The Saints are currently predicted to finish in second behind Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South. WynnBET has the Saints' odds to win the division set at +370. 

While New Orleans has to figure out it’s quarterback situation if it truly wants to contend, here are three corners that could make sense to bring in before training camp. 

Richard Sherman

Somehow, the 33-year-old Sherman is still unsigned as training camp nears. 

Despite an injury-riddled 2020 campaign, Sherman has consistently proven he’s one of the game’s best corners and would be a great fit for New Orleans if he’s willing to sign on a discount.

Last season, Sherman made 18 tackles and had one interception in five games, but he’s made 36 picks of his career. If Sherman still has something left in the tank, the Saints could use his veteran presence opposite of Lattimore and to help bring Adebo along. 

Brian Poole

Poole, who spent last season with the New York Jets, is an intriguing option to help replace Jenkins. 

Last season, Poole was among the top-five in lowest passer rating allowed by a cornerback and was given a 77.1 grade by PFF.

He only appeared in nine games for the Jets (seven starts) but at just 28 years old, Poole could be a long-term fit with the Saints. He still found a way to pick up 41 solo tackles and two interceptions in just nine games. 

New Orleans could use a value signing like Poole to bolster the roster. 

Steven Nelson

Nelson is one of the league’s best zone corners, and he is young as well, at just 28 years old.

The Pittsburgh Steelers released Nelson for cap reasons this offseason, but he was solid in 2020. He totaled 48 tackles and two interceptions while starting 15 games for the Steelers. 

If the Saints want to bolster the cornerback room, they are better off signing a proven player like Nelson, Poole or Sherman than taking a flier on an undrafted free agent. 

It may not work out, but these guys will all be low-risk, high-reward players for New Orleans in 2021.