Three STAR/slot options for the Saints in this year's NFL Draft

By Ross Jackson

Many are rightfully enamoured with Ohio State safety Caleb Downs as an option to fill the New Orleans Saints’ STAR/slot role that has been left open after the departure of cornerback Alontae Taylor in free agency.

Downs is widely considered the best single prospect in this year’s draft class because of his versatility, leadership acumen and disruptive play style. But, should the Saints miss out on the valuable safety, who projects well in the STAR role of the Saints’ defense, New Orleans will not be without options.

The STAR position requires a lot of a defensive back. They have to be able to cover, defend the run and rush the passer. They must also be comfortable with a variety of positional responsibilities including the likes of cornerback, slot cornerback, safety and linebacker and have to communicate incredibly well. Downs checks every box. But should he be selected before the Saints are scheduled to pick at No. 8 overall in the draft, or if the Saints go a different direction, here are three more surefire fits at the position.

Miami CB Keionte Scott

Scott’s fit is almost too perfect. He may be an even better fit than Downs at the end of the day being that he has played the exact role that defensive coordinator Brandon Staley is looking to fill. He’s highly productive with an eye-popping stat line in 2025 that included 64 total tackles, 13 of which for a loss, five sacks, two interceptions (both returned for a touchdown), five passes defended, two fumbles forced and another pair recovered.

Adding someone that is disruptive to Staley’s defense feels like a home run. Scott would be an option either as a trade-up target early in the second round, but the Saints could get lucky and see him drop to their No. 42 overall selection. He’s a mature player with leadership skills and a great understanding of the position, its challenges and how to navigate them to success.

“It’s a very unique position,” he said of playing STAR at the NFL Scouting Combine. “At times, you’ve got to be a defensive end, got to be a linebacker, got to be a safety, got to be a corner. I think it’s just the ability to be a Swiss Army knife and be able to be multiple and also thrive at it. I feel like it’s the key to defenses at times.”

Keionte Scott is a fun nickel to study.

Extremely disruptive at the LOS due to his speed, balance and competitive toughness. Has been playing at this level all season for Miami. pic.twitter.com/W2ac3OBYSi

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) December 22, 2025

Indiana CB D’Angelo Ponds

Pond is another productive player that may be overlooked a bit during the draft process because of his size. At 5-foot-8 and 182 pounds, he may be looked at as too small to play boundary corner at the next level, but Staley has found success with his frame in the slot before with veteran cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. 

Coming into the league with the Los Angeles Chargers, Samuel was a part of Staley’s first draft class as a head coach. Partway through their tenure together, the 5-foot-10, 180 pound corner transitioned to taking on the STAR/slot role in the defense.

Envisioning Staley finding success with a similarly-built player, especially one with Ponds’ competitive nature and fiery determination is not hard. He added a 4.38 40-yard dash to his already impressive National Championship resume at his Indiana Pro Day, building upon his 43.5-inch vertical leap at the Combine.

D’Angelo Ponds has some of the most ELECTRIC film of any DB in this year’s class pic.twitter.com/ysTWETKZsw

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) April 4, 2026

Arizona CB Treydan Stukes

Stukes fits the bill at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds as a strong option for the STAR role because he also has outside cornerback versatility. Often, the Saints would line Taylor up on the boundary in base packages, moving him inside when changing to nickel looks. Stukes would fit that need very well.

Like Ponds and Scott, his production also helps him to stand apart. Last year, he totaled 52 tackles, with one for a loss, a sack, four interceptions and eight passes defended. Helping him amp up the intensity, Staley could likely get a lot out of Stukes at the next level. 

One of the elements that helps to set him apart is his mentality. He’s an active player with a competitive spirit that loves to bring big hits and have an impact. His 4.46 40-yard dash speed would help him keep pace with some of the faster pass-catchers while his physicality could help to keep him glued in coverage. He’d be a promising option because of his competitive toughness and experience. 

Treydan Stukes has become one of my favorite players in this Draft. Independent of the ball skills/body control to make plays downfield, it’s his willingness to get involved in the Run game that hints at a winner’s mindset. pic.twitter.com/1tL6RAfhkg

— All 22 Films (@All_22_NFL_Cuts) April 9, 2026

Believe it or not, there are even more options in this year’s draft. From cornerbacks like Duke’s Chandler Rivers and South Carolina’s Jalon Kilgore to safeties like Penn State’s Zakee Wheatley, the Saints will have a litany of possibilities to help them address the position. The team also feels like it has options in-house it can rely on as well.

It may be the team’s biggest remaining hole when it comes to assigning a starter for 2026, but the options are abundant.