While it’s one of the easiest rooms to call across the New Orleans Saints’ roster, the cornerback position group will be one of the most intriguing throughout the 2026 season.
The group will face a long list of elite wide receiver talent throughout the season and the young if the position group is at its forefront. Meaning every step of development and growth achieved along the way will be obvious and evident.
From position leaders like Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley to its depth, the cornerback room is brimming with young talent, the majority of which still within its first handful of years in the league.
McKinstry is stepping into more than just the top cornerback role for a second year, he’s also embracing leadership responsibilities along the way. Meanwhile, Riley impressed in his rookie season and is now looking to take a leap during his second year in New Orleans.
Cornerbacks
- Kool-Aid McKinstry
- Quincy Riley
- Isaac Yiadom
- Martin Emerson Jr.
- Jayden Price
- (SUSP) Beanie Bishop
One player that should stand out as an omission to the group is rookie cornerback TJ Hall, but in the recent past, New Orleans has been pipelining late-round picks to its practice squad, which would be a fantastic opportunity for Hall to continue his transition to the league.
That is, unless he impresses enough to snag one of the late spots in the room during training camp. That spot, instead, is projected early to Price, who has been the primary backup in the STAR/slot role behind safety Jonas Sanker.
Behind the top corners are two of the team’s most veteran cornerbacks, who each have a ton of football still left ahead of them. Yiadom is going into just his ninth season, and provides a lot of insight to the young corners around him. He’s especially been helpful to them thanks to his previous stops and work with defensive coordinator Brandon Staley.
Meanwhile, Emerson, who was a free agent addition this offseason, is still going into just his fifth year in the league, fourth on the field after missing 2025 with an Achilles injury. The former Cleveland Browns corner started his career strong before injuries limited his availability. He’s not recovered and ready to contribute in New Orleans.
Some have expected a battle for the second cornerback spot, but throughout the offseason practices there appeared to be no such competition heating up. Training camp can change that, but it’ll be a game of wait and see until then.
Bishop is serving a three-game suspension to start the season, reportedly for violating the NFL’s Substances of Abuse policy. Therefore, he won’t count against the 53-man roster until activated. The Saints would be wise to keep him on their Reserve/Suspended list until he serves his terms and then make a decision with where he goes after that.
Previous Projections
- Quarterbacks (3)
- Running backs (4)
- Tight Ends (3)
- Wide Receivers (6)
- Interior Offensive Line (6)
- Offensive Tackles (4)
- EDGE Rushers (5)
- Interior Defensive Line (4)
- Linebackers (5)
