The New Orleans Saints cornerback room has been a consistent weak spot throughout the first quarter of the 2025 campaign. Isaac Yiadom stands out as one of the most glaring liabilities due to his ongoing struggles. On Sunday, he was seemingly replaced by Quincy Riley.
Yiadom has failed to meet expectations. The Saints brought him in to be a veteran presence and stabilize the unit. Instead, his struggles to in coverage and overall inconsistency have become a growing concern. Through four weeks he has a 49.2 PFF grade which ranks 131st out of 164 cornerbacks.
Yiadom's struggles on the field play have led to a reduced snap count. Rookie Quincy Riley saw 24 snaps versus Yiadom's 12 snaps. Making the move from Yiadom to Riley is a move fans have clamored for. The desire is as connected to Riley's potential as it is about Yiadom's poor performance.
Saints caught between Yiadom and a draft pick
The NFL gives out a compensatory draft pick, which is a bonus draft pick awarded to teams that lose more good players in free agency than they sign. The Saints lost a key player in Paulson Adebo to free agency and replaced him with Yiadom. The NFL does not deem their value as equal, so the Saints were rewarded with a fourth round compensatory pick in 2026.
This pick could prove to be very valuable in the future. However, the Saints will forfeit the selection if Yiadom plays less than a certain percentage of the team’s snaps over the season. His snap count is vital because it will determine whether his signing will qualify as a compensatory free agent gain. If he doesn’t meet the requirements, the Saints will lose out on the pick that was originally awarded to them in the Adeebo departure.
Yiadom’s performance and role on the field have a direct impact on not only this season, but also for the team’s future draft capital. Every snap that he plays or doesn’t play could ultimately shape the Saints long term roster agenda.