New projections don't have the Saints getting a comp pick in 2026
New projections don't have the Saints getting a comp pick in 2026
The NFL keeps a tight lid on its compensatory draft picks formula, but one of the analysts who has come closest to cracking the code is Over The Cap's Nick Korte. And while Korte initially projected the New Orleans Saints to receive a fourth-round comp pick in the 2026 draft for losing Paulson Adebo in free agency, his updated predictions don't have them getting that pick. What changed?
"The Saints will have a decision on whether to play Isaac Yiadom as a starter or heavy contributor at cornerback, a position the team looks to be shallow in," Korte wrote at OTC. "But if they do, the tradeoff will be sacrificing a 4th rounder for a corner that left them in free agency, Paulson Adebo."
Comp picks are calculated, in Korte's reverse-engineered formula, by two factors: contract value and playtime. If Yiadom hits a certain threshold for snaps played, which would happen if he starts 17 games this season, the Saints wouldn't get that fourth rounder in next year's draft. If he doesn't beat someone like Rico Payton or Quincy Riley (a rookie fourth-round pick) to run in the starting lineup with Alontae Taylor and Kool-Aid McKinstry? Then New Orleans should expect to get that fourth rounder after all.
One complicating factor? The Saints have been looking into veteran cornerbacks still on the market like Asante Samuel Jr., who is expected to sign with a new team after medical rechecks in July. Samuel could expect to walk into the room and start right away over Yiadom, a career backup, and a couple of first- and second-year pros. The Saints took a big bet on Chase Young after his neck injury last year, so maybe they're willing to do so again with another veteran defender.
At the same time, the Saints shouldn't let what may be the 138th or 140th pick in next year's draft decide who their starting cornerbacks should be. If Yiadom is a better option than his competition, roll with him. The Saints re-signed him for a reason. If he isn't able to cut the mustard? Go with someone else. But with the team in such a state of transition and with the corners playing under so much scrutiny after Adebo and Marshon Lattimore were let go in the last year, this decision is going to carry a ton of weight all season long. Here are the picks the Saints currently own in the 2026 draft, per Tankathon's projections:
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
10 minutes ago
- USA Today
USC football countdown to kickoff—Booker Brown in focus
The countdown to USC's 2025 football season is officially on! The Trojans kick off their new campaign 63 days from today. You need something to help you while away the days and hours in the spring and summer. This is one way to do so. In this new series, countdown to kickoff, we will be counting down the days by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number. There are not a ton of recent options for the number 63, so today, we take it way back to the early 1970s and look at former USC All-American offensive lineman Booker Brown. Position: Offensive line Years played at USC: 1972-1973 Career highlights: After spending the first two years of his college career at the junior college level, Brown transferred to USC in 1972. Although he did not begin the season as a starter, injuries on the offensive line forced him into the starting lineup, where he thrived. The 1972 Trojans would go on to win the national championship, putting together one of the greatest seasons in college football history. As a senior the following year, Brown earned consensus first-team All-America honors. After USC: Although the Houston Oilers selected Brown in the sixth round of the 1974 NFL draft, he instead elected to sign with the Southern California Sun of the new World Football League (WFL), who took him in the third round of the league's draft. However, the WFL shut down after less than two years, leading Brown to move to the NFL in 1975. He spent three seasons with the San Diego Chargers, who had acquired his rights from Houston in a trade. In 1978, Brown was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, reuniting him with John McKay, his head coach from his time at USC. However, he never played in a regular season game for the team, as he missed the entire 1978 season due to an injury and was released prior to the start of the 1979 campaign. Brown passed away in 2022 at the age of 69.
USA Today
25 minutes ago
- USA Today
Texas QB Arch Manning, LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier becoming good friends this offseason
In December, Texas quarterback Arch Manning and LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier could be sitting next to each other in New York City waiting to see which name will be called as the winner of the Heisman Trophy. Turns out, they'll already be good friends if that happens. The two Louisiana natives are both from football families. Manning's two uncles and grandfather all played in the NFL. Nussmeier is the son of a longtime college and NFL coach. While they might be rivals in the SEC and for national awards, they two were paired up as roommates at the Manning Passing Academy this year. According to Manning, the two have become close. They even did some marketing for Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers together. 'I love Garrett, he's the man,' Manning said of Nussmeier, per On3. 'He's a coach's kid, so he knows ball. We went to Walmart last night and got food. So he's the man. I'm glad — I'm gonna build a good relationship with him.' According to the LSU signal calling, the feeling is mutual. 'It means a lot to me,' Nussmeier said of Manning's comments, per On3. 'I love Arch. He's a really good player. Want nothing but the best for him. He may say that he looks up to me, but there are definitely parts of me that looks up to him, too. His ability, his swagger, his mindset. It's something that is really fun to watch. He's a really, really good player. … Definitely rooting for him, and I'm very appreciative of him.' Manning and Nussmeier currently hold the first and second best odds to win the Heisman this season and will get compared to each other all season. While they won't meet during the regular season, Texas and LSU could matchup in the SEC championship or College Football Playoff. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @LonghornsWire.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
70 days till the Arizona Cardinals' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No. 70?
With 70 days till the Cardinals open the season against the Saints, we look at the players who have worn No. 70. We are counting down to the start of the 2025 regular season for the Arizona Cardinals and are 10 weeks away. They will open the season on the road against the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 7. That is 70 days away. As we count down the remaining days of the offseason, let's look at who has worn that number uniform over the years for the Cardinals. Who has worn No. 70? Cardinals players to wear No. 70 No. 70 now belongs to left tackle Paris Johnson, who should hopefully be a mainstay for many more years. We hope he becomes the Cardinals' best No. 70 in franchise history. Shelton and Kennard were OL starters for multiple seasons. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
