The New Orleans Saints are gearing up for the upcoming season, with their regular season opener against the Arizona Cardinals just weeks away. Among the players to watch is rookie cornerback Quincy Riley, drafted in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Already making an impact in training camp, Riley's performance is crucial for a Saints defense that is in a rebuilding phase under new head coach Kellen Moore.

Standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 195 pounds, Riley's journey began at A.C. Flora High School in South Carolina before he made his mark at Middle Tennessee State University, earning All-Conference USA honors. He further honed his skills at Louisville, where he excelled with impressive statistics including 12 pass breakups and 6 interceptions last season. His versatility and talent make him a key player for the Saints as they approach their first game.

Jonas Sanker, a rookie safety for the New Orleans Saints, is gearing up for the upcoming NFL season after being drafted in the third round. He reflected on his journey to the NFL and the challenges faced along the way, including the pre-draft process. Sanker admires fellow rookies, particularly highlighting quarterback Tyler Shough and cornerback Quincy Riley for their skills and contributions to the team. With training camp just around the corner, Sanker is focused on establishing himself on special teams and the defensive unit.

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 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.