Countdown to kickoff: New Orleans opens 27 days from now against Arizona with Isaac Yiadom as the Saints Player of the Day. Yiadom, back after a year away, wears No. 27 and is slated for a bigger role in a retooled secondary that will be tested early by a Cardinals attack. His experiences across Denver, New York, Green Bay, and San Francisco inform a ceiling that could push him into the starting mix opposite Kool-Aid McKinstry, with rookie Quincy Riley as a dark horse for the boundary spot. New Orleans lost Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, and Shemar Jean-Charles, heightening the importance of a versatile, depth-filled group. The Week 1 matchup looms large for fantasy bets on NO’s secondary and the Cardinals’ passing game, while the defense’s new look aims to reduce big plays and improve consistency.

Yiadom’s career arc features a breakout 2023 season with eight starts, a league-topping 14 passes broken up, and a productive stretch with the 49ers before returning to New Orleans on a three-year deal. He’ll battle McKinstry for the top corner role, with the Saints leaning on a reshaped scheme that could create opportunistic matchups for fantasy defenses and limit big plays against NO’s wideouts. The defense’s upside hinges on how quickly Yiadom and the rest of the secondary gel with a reshaped front seven and new coaching staff, making Week 1 a critical barometer for NO’s fantasy value in the early season.

The Saints kicked off Week 1 of the 2025 preseason with a defense-first focus, rotating through backups on the edge as veterans rested. Chris Rumph II started at defensive end after the Saints’ top pass-rushers were held out, and a second-play offsides penalty briefly stalled the drive. New Orleans still forced a punt, thanks to Isaac Yiadom breaking up a pass from Taylor Heinicke on third down. The sequence underscored the Saints’ ongoing evaluation of depth pieces behind Cameron Jordan and Carl Granderson, with Isaiah Foskey in a tight battle for a roster spot.

Rumph II’s early audition is critical for fantasy managers eyeing Saint edge-waxers beyond the obvious anchors. Foskey’s continued development looms large for a pass-rush upside inshallah, particularly in dynasty leagues where cheap, role-based contributors can pay off. The Jets and Chargers previews aside, the Saints must decide who mans the edge when Jordan and Granderson rest—this game was a practical, data-filled test.

On the back end, Isaac Yiadom’s early breakups offered a hopeful note for a secondary eager to prove versatility. Heinicke’s aerial attempts gave the defense a live test, even if the drive produced limited long-term gains. Clean technique and consistent pressure will be the themes as New Orleans uses August to refine its depth and establish a clearer path to the 53-man roster, especially against teams like the Chargers who push the balance of run and pass in preseason contexts.

The San Francisco 49ers are in the midst of a significant defensive overhaul, particularly in their secondary, following a season that saw them surrender the fourth-most points per game. Despite allowing the fourth-fewest passing yards, the team's cornerback depth has been challenged with notable departures. Key players like Charvarius Ward and Isaac Yiadom have moved on, leading the 49ers to sign Tre Brown, Tre Tomlinson, and Siran Neal, alongside their draft pick Upton Stout.

This influx of new talent raises questions about the unit's cohesion and ability to perform against top passing offenses. As the team looks ahead, the 2026 draft might see them targeting an elite cornerback to secure their pass defense for the future. A decision that could reshape their defensive strategy entirely.

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.

New Orleans Saints are poised for an exciting defensive transformation with rookie cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry expected to step into a notable role. Alontae Taylor's return to the slot alongside Isaac Yiadom will bolster the secondary, but with the departure of several veterans, the need for fresh talent is palpable.

Will Johnson, touted by Bleacher Report as a prime candidate for an immediate impact, is recovering from injuries that muddled his college career. A healthy Johnson could quickly become the top cornerback on the roster, filling a critical gap in the Saints' defense. As the roster stands, the pressure is on him to prove he can excel at the professional level right from the start.