Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
Well that didn’t take long. On the same day that the New Orleans Saints hosted veteran cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. for a visit, the team has reportedly offered him a contract.
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Saints intend to sign the former third-round selection, adding to competition and depth in the cornerback room.
The 6-foot-1, 201 pound corner has mostly focused on the boundary so far in the pros, taking over 2,000 defensive snaps at outside cornerback over his 2022 to 2024 seasons. He missed last year with an Achilles injury, delaying the strong start he had to his career.
He’ll now get a chance to pick back up where he left off with the Saints, bringing depth and competition to the secondary.
The Saints still have one glaring need on defense following the NFL Draft, their STAR/slot position. Emerson could potentially cross-train there, or his perimeter coverage expertise could open up a chance for another player to move inside.
In either scenario, New Orleans gets some much-needed help at the position.
Emerson has four career interceptions along with 34 passes defended. He’s also allowed just a 55.5% completion percentage when targeted and an 83.8 passer rating as the nearest defender.
He joins a crowded cornerback room led by third-year defender Kool-Aid McKinstry and second-year corner Quincy Riley and that was bolstered during the 2026 NFL Draft with the additions of Lorenzo Styles Jr. and TJ Hall in Day 3.
