Darqueze Dennard could be a target for the New Orleans Saints before the trade deadline
By Ryan Brown
![BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 31: Cornerback Darqueze Dennard #21 of the Cincinnati Bengals returns an interception for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 31: Cornerback Darqueze Dennard #21 of the Cincinnati Bengals returns an interception for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fwhodatdish-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F08-2F900125806-850x560-c0bdb9630fb0c005c99e4b8faf4e5b01.jpg)
With P.J. Williams suspended for one more game and fellow cornerbacks Patrick Robinson and Eli Apple sidelined with injuries, the New Orleans Saints are in need of help at cornerback.
If Apple and Robinson are to miss any time, the New Orleans Saints will be pretty thin at corner, at least until Williams returns after the bye week.
On the depth chart behind Marshon Lattimore would be Ken Crawley and Justin Hardee. Safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson also helped provide depth at corner in Williams’s absence as well.
The Saints have also worked out veteran free agent Kayvon Webster this week, which seems like a safe bet as he played with the Saints during the summer and the preseason before being waived during roster cuts.
If they don’t sign a free agent soon, New Orleans could look to add depth in a trade.
In theScore‘s week 7 NFL Power Ranking, they suggested one player for each to trade away or to trade for. For New Orleans, they recommended going after cornerback Darqueze Dennard.
Dennard was a first-round draft pick by the Bengals in 2014 and has had a decent career so far. Cincinnati just last week activated Dennard off of the PUP list after missing six weeks from a left knee surgery.
The Bengals recently re-signed Dennard to a one-year deal in the offseason, but with their season in the trash (Cincinnati is currently 0-7 and probably the worst team outside of Miami), they could look to trade.
Dennard could get the chance to earn a roster spot in the future in a contract year this year.
Last season, Dennard allowed catches on 74.3% of targets (55 receptions on 74 targets), allowing 630 yards (8.5 yards per target), with 3 pass breakups (he had 2 in his first week back this year), and no touchdowns allowed.
Playerprofile.com compares him to Baltimore Ravens CB Marcus Peters. In his one game back this season, he allowed 3 catches for 27 yards on 6 targets.
While these numbers aren’t perfect, he would be great to add depth behind Lattimore and eventually Williams in a hurting secondary.
Next. 3 reasons the Saints shouldn’t make a trade this deadline. dark
If the Bengals would be willing to move Dennard for a 4th or 5th round pick, the Saints may be the team to go after him.