The prompt: Act like you’re the New Orleans saints and you need to improve at cornerback, look around the league and determine if there are any corners who may be cut or realistically could be traded for to improve your depth at the position

The answer: Yes. If I’m the Saints front office on August 23, 2026, I would absolutely be calling teams about cornerback depth.

First, the Saints’ situation

New Orleans currently has a pretty clear top group:

* Kool-Aid McKinstry — likely CB1
* Martin Emerson Jr. — brought in after recovering from his Achilles injury
* Quincy Riley — promising young outside/slot option
* Isaac Yiadom — veteran depth
* Jayden Price / Rejzohn Wright / Beanie Bishop / others competing for depth

The Saints themselves have emphasized that McKinstry/Riley are solid, but also that secondary depth is critical.

The problem I’d see is that if Kool-Aid or Emerson gets hurt, the drop-off becomes significant. And New Orleans doesn’t really have the luxury of entering the season with only three trustworthy outside corners.

So I’d be looking for one legitimate NFL-caliber CB4/5, preferably somebody with starting experience.

?? 1. Carrington Valentine — Packers

This is probably my favorite target.

Valentine is particularly interesting because there is already reporting that Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Miami have shown interest in him, meaning this isn’t just a theoretical name.

He’s entering the final year of his rookie deal and reportedly carries only about a $3.7 million contract, making him much easier for New Orleans to acquire than a high-priced veteran.

Why I like him for New Orleans

He’s young, inexpensive and has actual NFL experience.

And more importantly, he’s the type of player you acquire before the Packers are forced to cut him rather than after.

I’d call Green Bay and start with:

Saints offer:

* 2027 6th-round pick

I’d be willing to go:

2027 5th-round pick

Saints fit: 9/10

?? 2. Ennis Rakestraw Jr. — Lions

Rakestraw was a second-round pick in 2024, but his career has basically been wiped out by injuries. He played only eight games as a rookie and missed the entire 2025 season.

And Detroit has a legitimate CB numbers problem.

Their current group includes:

* D.J. Reed
* Rock Ya-Sin
* Roger McCreary
* Ennis Rakestraw
* Keith Abney
* Khalil Dorsey
* Nick Whiteside
* others

Rakestraw is not actually a sure cut, though. Detroit has been giving him first-team reps and still believes he can become a starting outside corner.

But that’s exactly why I’d call.

I’d offer:

2027 6th

and potentially move to a 5th.

The upside is enormous compared with the cost.

You’re essentially betting on the player Detroit thought was worth the 61st overall pick two years ago.

Saints fit: 9/10

If he stays healthy, I’d much rather have Rakestraw than a typical veteran CB5.

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?? 3. T.J. Tampa — Ravens

This is the one I’d quietly investigate.

Baltimore’s CB room is loaded with bodies:

* Nate Wiggins
* Marlon Humphrey
* Chidobe Awuzie
* T.J. Tampa
* Chandler Rivers
* Keyon Martin
* Bilhal Kone
* Robert Longerbeam
* Amani Oruwariye
* others

The Ravens’ own depth chart identifies Wiggins, Humphrey and Awuzie as the starters, with Tampa competing behind them.

And Baltimore’s training-camp coverage specifically describes the competition among Tampa, Martin, Rivers, Oruwariye and others.

That’s exactly the kind of situation where I’d call.

Why Tampa?

He’s young, has legitimate draft pedigree and gives you a bigger boundary corner to develop.

I’d ask Baltimore:

“Is Tampa available?”

If they say no, fine.

If they say:

“Maybe for the right price.”

I’d offer a 2027 sixth and see where it goes.

Saints fit: 8.5/10

I actually prefer Tampa to a washed-up veteran because the Saints could potentially have him beyond 2026.

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4. Rock Ya-Sin — Lions

This is the boring but very practical option.

Detroit’s current competition has Ya-Sin receiving substantial first-team work, and Detroit has said he’s been the most consistent player in that competition.

He’s also versatile enough to play outside and inside. His 2025 PFF grade was 62.8 with a 64.8 coverage grade.

He’s not somebody I’d trade significant capital for.

But if Detroit cuts him?

I’d immediately call his agent.

This would be a classic:

“We’re not getting a star. We’re getting a guy who can play 25-40 snaps without completely destroying the defense.”

Saints fit: 8/10

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5. Kindle Vildor — Patriots

This is another waiver-wire/free-agent type rather than somebody I’d give up a draft pick for.

New England has:

* Christian Gonzalez
* Carlton Davis
* Marcus Jones
* Charles Woods
* Karon Prunty
* Kindle Vildor
* several others

And Vildor has actually improved his standing enough that Patriots coverage currently has him looking like the likely final CB on the roster.

So I wouldn’t expect New England to trade him right now.

But if they cut him?

Absolutely put in a claim/call.

He’s an experienced NFL corner who can play press and zone.

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6. Amani Oruwariye — Ravens

This is another player I’d monitor closely.

Baltimore has so many corners that somebody good is probably going to lose the numbers game.

Oruwariye is especially interesting because he’s 6’2”, giving you something New Orleans doesn’t have a ton of at corner.

Baltimore’s own depth chart has him competing for one of the final spots.

I’d prefer him as a post-cut signing rather than giving Baltimore a draft pick.

Saints fit: 7.5/10

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7. Greedy Vance — Raiders

This is one of my favorite “watch the final preseason game” names.

Las Vegas has a fascinating young CB competition involving:

* Greedy Vance
* Hezekiah Masses
* Jermod McCoy
* Decamerion Richardson

and the Raiders may only keep five or six corners.

Vance has already improved his standing with his preseason performance.

He’s exactly the sort of player where I’d have a scout watching every defensive snap of the final preseason game.

If Vegas cuts him?

Claim him immediately.

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The wild card: Joey Porter Jr.

Now here’s where things get interesting.

There are current reports that multiple teams are interested in Joey Porter Jr., who is entering the final year of his rookie contract.

If I’m Mickey Loomis, I at least make the phone call.

But I don’t think this is realistic for the Saints.

The Steelers know exactly what they have, and Porter is significantly more valuable than the other names we’re talking about.

I’d expect the price to be something like:

2nd-round pick territory or better, potentially with additional considerations.

And the Saints shouldn’t pay that for a player they would have to extend immediately.

So:

Call? Yes.

Actually trade for him? Probably no.

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What I would actually do as the Saints

I’d have my personnel department working three tracks simultaneously.

Track 1 — Trade now

I’d call:

1. Green Bay — Carrington Valentine
2. Detroit — Ennis Rakestraw
3. Baltimore — T.J. Tampa
4. Detroit — Rock Ya-Sin

I’d make it clear that we’re interested in a young CB who might not survive their final roster cuts.

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Track 2 — Monitor final cuts

I’d specifically track:

* Amani Oruwariye
* Greedy Vance
* Kindle Vildor
* Nick Whiteside
* Khalil Dorsey
* whoever loses the Ravens’ CB battle