The New Orleans Saints are set to begin their organized team activities (OTAs) on Tuesday, where several key position battles will take center stage, notably in the cornerback position. With the trade of All-Pro Marshon Lattimore, the Saints are left with a relatively inexperienced group. Kool-Aid McKinstry, who saw action during his rookie year, struggled with in-game experience, while Alontae Taylor had ups and downs after a successful stint in the slot. The team's efforts to address this gap included targeting Charvarius Ward, but they ultimately settled for Isaac Yiadom, signing him to a three-year, $9 million deal. Furthermore, the Saints used a fifth-round pick acquired in the Lattimore trade to select Quincy Riley out of Louisville, aiming to strengthen their defensive backfield.

The 2025 NFL Draft brought forth a group of rookie defensive backs with potential for impactful roles despite being selected in the later rounds. Notably, Billy Bowman Jr. from the Atlanta Falcons, a versatile safety/player, fell to the fourth round due to size concerns but possesses the ability to play multiple positions effectively. Similarly, Quincy Riley of the New Orleans Saints, with considerable college experience, has a chance to shine but must compete against established players. Miami's Jason Marshall Jr. could capitalize on possible trades affecting the team's secondary, while Dante Trader Jr. stands out as a promising safety with a tough playing style. Each of these players offers unique attributes that could help them secure a spot on their respective teams.

The New Orleans Saints have been proactive in securing contracts for their 2025 draft picks, aiming to finalize agreements swiftly. Notably, first-round selection Kelvin Banks Jr. has signed a four-year rookie deal, marking him as the highest draft pick for the franchise since 2008. The Saints have also completed contracts with several other picks, including linebacker Danny Stutsman and cornerback Quincy Riley, both of whom bring promising collegiate accolades.

Kelvin Banks, a standout offensive tackle from Texas, was essential to the Saints' strategy, as he potentially shifts the offensive line dynamics with his expertise at left tackle, impacting the positioning of 2024's first-round pick Taliese Fuaga. Meanwhile, Stutsman and Riley are expected to fortify the defense, stepping into roles left vacant by veterans, enhancing the squad's competitiveness in upcoming seasons.

Rookie contracts have started rolling in for the New Orleans Saints as they signed six of their nine 2025 draft picks just ahead of rookie minicamp. This group includes their top pick, Kelvin Banks Jr., who secured a fully guaranteed four-year contract worth $27.73 million, highlighted by a $16.8 million signing bonus. Alongside Banks, linebacker Danny Stutsman, cornerback Quincy Riley, running back Devin Neal, tight end Moliki Matavao, and edge rusher Fadil Diggs also inked their deals.

With just three picks remaining to sign, the Saints are navigating a familiar challenge in securing contracts for their second and third rounders: quarterback Tyler Shough, defensive tackle Vernon Broughton, and safety Jonas Sanker. Historically, the second-round negotiations often lead to a prolonged signing process, a trend the Saints bucked last year by signing their second-round selection, Kool-Aid McKinstry, earlier than usual. The Saints aim to finalize these remaining contracts promptly to prevent distractions during the offseason.

The New Orleans Saints unveiled the jersey numbers for their 2025 rookie class, which includes nine draft picks and eleven undrafted free agents. Notable picks include Tyler Shough, assigned number 6 as the quarterback, and Quincy Riley, who will wear number 29 as a cornerback. Other noteworthy assignments are Devin Neal (30) as running back and Jonas Sanker (33) as safety. The team also announced numbers for several undrafted free agents, including Marcus Yarns (34) and Elliott Davison (35) among others. While fans are eager to show support by purchasing jerseys, it’s worth noting that jersey numbers may change leading up to the final roster cuts in September.