Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

(Mike Triplett)

A position-by-position look at where the New Orleans Saints stand heading into the 2014 offseason -- ranked from 1-12 in order of the team’s need for upgrades or replacements.

Current depth chart:

Keenan Lewis. Age 27, signed through 2017. 2014 salary and bonuses: $3.35 million. 2014 salary-cap number: $4.55 million.

Jabari Greer. Turns 32 next week, signed through 2015. 2014 salary and bonuses: $4.5 million. 2014 salary-cap number: $6.825 million.

Corey White. Age 23, signed through 2015. 2014 salary and bonuses: $570,000. 2014 salary-cap number: $614,125.

Patrick Robinson. Age 26, signed through 2014. 2014 salary and bonuses: $1.36 million. 2014 salary-cap number: $2.8 million.

Rod Sweeting. Age 23, scheduled to become a restricted free agent in 2016. 2014 salary and bonuses: $495,000. 2014 salary-cap number: $496,666.

Trevin Wade. Age 24, exclusive rights free agent.

Terrence Frederick. Age 23, scheduled to become a restricted free agent after three accrued seasons. 2014 salary: $420,000.

Analysis:

This was an easy No. 1 for me since I think the Saints need both immediate help and long-term help at a position that is absolutely critical in today’s pass-happy NFL. And that’s more about basic common sense than the idea of trying to copy the Seattle Seahawks’ model. … But either way, it’s the right idea.

The good news is that New Orleans found a bona fide No. 1 cornerback in Lewis last year in one of the best free-agent signings anywhere in the league. He’s a bigger, long-armed cornerback with good speed, and he was able to lock down the best receivers in the league on a weekly basis last year. He should have made the Pro Bowl -- something I imagine will be corrected in the near future.

Beyond Lewis, however, there are several question marks. Greer was also playing very well last year before he suffered a major knee injury in November that now leaves his future in doubt. I think Greer has been maybe the most underrated star of the Saints’ golden era since 2009, and I’d love to think he can come back for more quality seasons. But he’s in the midst of a significant rehab, he’s about to turn 32, and he’s due to make a lot of money for the cap-strapped Saints. So I think Greer would have to agree to a pay cut to get that opportunity. And even then, it’s unclear if he can get back close to 100 percent by the start of the season.

Robinson is a question mark for many of the same reasons after missing all of last season with a torn ACL. Robinson struggled as a starter in 2012, but I have to imagine the new defense under Rob Ryan would be a better fit for him (like it was for just about everyone else last year). I still think the speedy former first-round draft pick has potential. But Robinson’s salary is just big enough to make him a potential cap casualty if the Saints decide they can’t afford to gamble on that potential this offseason.

White was decent as a replacement starter for Greer this past season. The physical second-year pro had some rough games, but he also gained some valuable experience. I think he should still be a good fit as part of the rotation going forward. And he’ll get a chance to compete for a full-time starting job -- though he might fit better as a nickel/slot corner.

Sweeting is another young guy who could bloom into a greater role after impressing enough to earn a roster spot as an undrafted rookie last season. Wade and Frederick were late-season signings that we never got a real good feel for. I could see both of them back in camp this summer, along with young guys on the current expanded roster like Derrius Brooks and A.J. Davis.

So the young depth is decent, but I think the Saints definitely need to add at least one more starting-caliber player.

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Ranking New Orleans Saints' needs: No. 1 cornerback - ESPN

Re: Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

Re: Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

Dennard is a potential shutdown. He'll be long gone though.

Re: Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

We need another free agent.

Re: Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

If only we could afford one.:rolleyes:

Re: Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

I think when FA starts we get 1, maybe not a shut down corner but 1 that can hang tough a #2 or #3 reciever. I would go this route to be able to draft a ball-hawking FS to help the CB's out and let Jenkins walk.

Re: Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

Want Verrett so badly on this team next year.

And yes, Greer and Robinson are both question marks coming off bad injuries. But even in a worst-case scenario where both of them don't make it back, we still have Lewis and White as the two starters, and considering how well both of those guys played down the stretch it is not a bad starting point.

Plus we have a couple of versatile safeties that can play coverage.

I would generally agree with Triplett that corner is the team's biggest need considering the uncertainty, but it says a lot about how strong the roster is that it is our biggest need. We have some really good players in the secondary, better than at any time I can recall going back to the mid 80s.

Re: Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

Samuel and Asomghua....Championship!!!

I don't see Greer making a come back with us. It's going to be rough for P-Rob too, but he's younger and costs less. White and Lewis are good starters, but we need some more players in their mold. Short fast guys aren't going to cut it.

Re: Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

Terrance Mitchell Oregon CB 6 - 0 189 ? have to do a little looking into him

nice read

i just can not get on the gilbert band wagon still. as i am with most CB in the 1/2 range of the draft

i would prefer the saints roll the dice on day 2 and go solid project CB.

Re: Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

Asante Samuel makes so much sense to me! He is good veteran depth who can step in and play, he was cut from our most hated rival, he knows their playbook, and he is cheap. Make it happen!!!!

Top Cornerback analysis
 

Pretty good look at the "top" cornerbacks in the draft. Might change some opinions

Peshek: CB Metrics 1.0 - Out Of The Box - Rotoworld.com

Re: Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

This is still way too premature...
Greer knows and we know that he isn't coming back full price -> our bargaining chip is that with his age and coming back from a broken leg he isn't going to draw a lot of attention as a FA
C-Rob is a question mark, but a reasonably priced one
If both are brought back, then White drops to 4th, Sweeting 5th on the depth chart. Would we really draft another corner with that depth?

Re: Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

I think we should. Hopefully the Saints can pick up a top draft pick that pays off. He can take compete with Robinson and Sweeting for roster spot, and hopefully be ready to take Greer's spot when he's unable to play.

Robinson deserves a chance, everyone else on the defense played better last season than the season before. Robinson went out before we could see if he was better than what he showed playing for Spags. But if he doesn't show something by the end of pre season, he's a cap casualty.

Re: Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

I said this year that Robinson was going to surprise people and he was our best corner in the preseason. Looked well on his way to locking down the #2 spot too, until that injury. If that leg is in good shape he is going to be a player the defense can rely on heavily.

Re: Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

Both those guys are trash. We had a chance to sign Aso and passed. I would vomit in my mouth if they signed either one of these guys

Re: Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

No.. but we still need one with skill. Greer aint gonna cut it.

Re: Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

Asomugha admitted his knee is done. I doubt anyone touches him with a ten foot pole.

Samuel is probably a part-time player now. I'd think there would be better options out there, but who knows. Might be worth kicking the tires.

Re: Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

Agreed, thats why I don't see a CB in the draft for a top pick at all. Robinson played well before he got hurt, Greer is my wild card, I would at the least bring him into camp along with another FA and the youth we have now to see if he still has it, if he gets beat out or someone steps up in the group it's all the better for the team. Comp is good.

Re: Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

I did as well, and I think Papz was on that bandwagon too. His skill set fits exactly what Ryan wants to do.

Re: Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

I would pass on Asante' simply because this cat does not like to wrap up and make a tackle when needed & has been known to be a 'risk taker' far too often.

Corey White has one year of good starting experience under his belt & PRob should be able to come in a make an impact. Lets continue with the youth movement on D.

Re: Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

I still think we are going WR or OL with the first pic.

I think we can pick up a CB during FA and even find a gem later on...

Re: Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

Well don't worry about signing Nnamdi. Dude retired after he got by the 49ers, not signing him was blessing for us.

Re: Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

For me I think you'll see picks for offense taken in the second round.... and the fourth round... WR in the second... OLine in the fourth... The rest of the picks should be used to bolster this defense....

Re: Ranking Saints' needs: No. 1, cornerback
 

The author I believe has the need absolutely right... but I don't think that means we go first round Cornerback.... This cornerback draft will not be as top heavy as some have been in the past..... You may come out better, waiting on some of the talent in the later round... that is provided they don't move up on other teams depth chart via the combine.....