There isn’t a more definitive way for an NFL defense to change the fabric of a game than by forcing turnovers. That’s going to be a big focus for the New Orleans Saints’ training camp and was a clear emphasis over the offseason, as well.
Generating more turnovers is the goal of any NFL team. But for the Saints, who botched 20 turnovers last year, having only 10 interceptions is the number that stands out most.
Only 10 teams finished with fewer and only two of those teams, the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers, made the postseason.
The re-signing of safety Julian Blackmon is the team’s biggest investment in their attempt to improve in this category.
The more the team can take the ball away, the more opportunities they give quarterback Tyler Shough and the offense. Blackmon specializes in having exactly that kind of impact.
Similarly, a second year of development for starting cornerback Quincy Riley has his projections on the rise as a breakout candidate in 2026. When he was drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, Riley led all draft-eligible cornerbacks in career interceptions.
During Riley’s rookie season, he contributed a well-timed interception in the team’s Week 7 matchup with the Chicago Bears and notched another 10 passes defended, which finished No. 3 on the team.
Leading in passes defended was the team’s top starter at cornerback, Kool-Aid McKinstry. The former Alabama corner didn’t generate a reputation as a takeaway artist like Riley and Blackmon did during their collegiate days. But that’s because McKinstry wasn’t often targeted in college at all.
In the NFL, he’ll continue to be tested often. That was the case last year and, as the season went on, he showed an impressive propensity for affecting the ball at the catch point.
McKinstry finished top-six in both forced incompletion percentage and pass break ups among qualifying g cornerbacks, per Pro Football Focus. He also tallied career highs in interceptions (three) and passes defended (17).
Riley, McKinstry and Blackmon will all be keys to getting the ball back to the offense in 2026 by upping interception production from previous years.
