By Ross Jackson
There are two Louisville Cardinals in the New Orleans Saints’ 2025 NFL Draft class. While the earliest of the two, quarterback Tyler Shough, is going to receive a ton of attention during this weekend’s rookie minicamps, cornerback Quincy Riley could be set to make waves as well.
Just like Shough, Riley could be in for an immediate starting job.
CB Quincy Riley was the #Louisville prospect to watch last night and he didn’t disappoint with 1 INT, 3 PBU (despite the loss).
A track athlete, Riley now has 400+ INT return yards in his career. No other FBS prospect in this class has more than 245. pic.twitter.com/IlUeGSPNXC
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) December 28, 2023
What Makes Riley An Exciting Player?
The Louisville cornerback is a physical and intelligent coverage player with great ball skills and NFL size. At 5-foot-10 and nearly 200 pounds, Riley had 29 passes defended in his last two years with the Cardinals and tallied 15 interceptions during his collegiate career as a whole.
He has experience playing both as an outside and slot corner, giving him the versatility necessary to make a roster as a day three pick.
But don’t project Riley solely because of his draft placement. He’s a very talented cornerback with 4.48-second speed with returner versatility. However, what will always stand out most is his ballhawking mentality.
Why Riley’s Ballhawk Ability Is Important
The Saints started hot with at least one interception in seven of the team’s first nine games last year. They also had three games with multiple interceptions during that span. However, after those first nine games, New Orleans added only three over its final eight contests.
Riley’s 15 career interceptions were the most among this year’s draft class. He has the potential to help new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley revive the takeaway in New Orleans.
What Does This Mean For Alontae Taylor?
While Riley could be a fit on the inside, forcing slot corner Alontae Taylor to the outside, the Louisville and middle Tennessee product should be considered in competition to compete on the outside.
The higher volume of passes going his way would put him in the best position to affect the game with his ball production.
Over the last two years, Riley had nine total interceptions. Each one happened while in coverage on the perimeter, per Pro Football Focus.
It would maximize Riley’s best ability to be on the outside, even if just in nickel packages, while simultaneously keeping Taylor where he’s proven to be one of the most disruptive players in the league: in the slot.
Riley’s Biggest Competition
Riley will have to compete with and win the outside role over veteran cornerback Isaac Yiadom, who returns to the team following a year away after a stellar 2023 season in New Orleans. But if he can do so, Riley could earn a meaningful role opposite second-year corner Kool-Aid McKinstry in base sets.
