Replacing Alontae Taylor is a major focus for the New Orleans Saints this offseason. Caleb Downs is by far everyone's favorite to do it. Keionte Scott is another player who has gained favor in the draft process. Julian Blackmon, Jonas Sanker and Quincy Riley deserve to be included in the conversation as well. More than just in-house options, they're legitimate options to step in at STAR and could easily determine their strategy in the NFL Draft.
The Saints brought back Blackmon after suffering a season ending injury in Week 1, so they now have three starting caliber safeties on the roster right now. Using Blackmon or Sanker at STAR gives the Saints the ability to put all three on the field at once.
Riley is a little different situation. Unlike Sanker and Blackmon, moving Riley to the slot will still require an encompaning move in the draft. Riley is one of the starting outside corners, so you'll need to replace him in that capacity. Even if he plays inside and outside like Taylor, the Saints still need to add another corner.
Caleb Downs and Keionte Scott fit too well for the Saints to pass on
If Downs is available at 8, it feels like a no brainer selection. Everything in the draft is a projection, but this feels like more of a sure bet than others. Downs has been a standout defensive back since his freshman year. You're asking him to move from safety to primarily a role in the slot, but him falling in your lap is just too good to pass on. Also, his versatility paired with the previous in-house options give you the option to disguise your looks on an even higher level.
Scott fits the role like a glove as well. You have to project how he translates to the next level, but the Saints won't have questions of how his game translates to STAR role because he played it at Miami. You saw if he has the traits and ability to succeed in your offense.
Beyond Scott and Downs, it becomes a real conversation. Those two fall to the Saints at 8 or 42, and they're likely the pick. Anyone else is a conversation of in-house versus draftee.
If you genuinely believe Sanker can step into the role, for example, you could use a fourth round pick on an interior defensive lineman who could at least be part of the rotation on the line. If the Saints feel confident in the talent in the room, it makes sense to only move for the slam dunk picks and see if your hunch was correct in 2026.
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