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 New Orleans Saints' secondary has undergone significant changes this offseason, yet they managed to secure the No. 20 spot in Pro Football Focus' ranking of NFL secondaries, narrowly avoiding the bottom ten. This ranking is notable as the Saints are now the second-best unit in the NFC South, outperforming rivals like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers.

Despite losing key players like Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo, the Saints' defensive strategy has relied on a blend of draft picks and free agent signings. Young corners such as Kool-Aid McKinstry, a second-round pick in 2024, and Quincy Riley, selected in the fourth round, are expected to evolve as the season progresses. The team remains optimistic about its youth and potential for growth, hoping to cultivate a more formidable secondary.

The New Orleans Saints have seen some troublesome changes this offseason, particularly in three key position groups. The quarterback position stands out with the retirement of Derek Carr, leaving the team to rely on unproven talents Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler. The lack of experience raises significant concerns as neither player has yet to establish a strong track record at the professional level.

Secondly, the cornerback unit has faced a steep decline following the departures of Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo. Draft strategies failed to fill these crucial roles, resulting in Kool-Aid McKinstry taking the lead as CB1, despite his limited experience. The depth behind him consists of journeymen and undrafted players, raising alarms about the secondary’s ability to perform effectively this season.

The New Orleans Saints face uncertainty at the cornerback position heading into the 2025 season. Following the trade of Pro Bowler Marshon Lattimore and the loss of Paulson Adebo in free agency, the team's depth chart is unsettled. Alontae Taylor and Kool-Aid McKinstry, both early second-round picks, bring potential but lack extensive NFL experience. Isaac Yiadom has returned from the 49ers, adding depth, but the Saints need a proven starter to lead the secondary.

With the offensive unit bolstered by the addition of quarterback Derek Carr, the Saints must address their defensive gaps if they are to remain competitive in the NFC South. The cornerback dilemma could be addressed through trades or free-agent acquisitions as the Saints seek a reliable presence in the secondary.