Paulson Adebo departing for the New York Giants in free agency last offseason saved the New Orleans Saints $54 million a year ago and is projected to grant the Saints a fourth round pick. This is exactly what Saints fans expected when Kellen Moore and Brandon Staley made the call for Quincy Riley took over for Isaac Yiadom.
Yiadom's play time is the one thing that could have jeopardized the Saints getting a pick back for losing Adebo. In order to get a comp pick, you have to lose a more valuable free agent than you get in return. Yiadom played all the snaps in Week 1, and that number dwindled down until Riley took over. After Week 4, Yiadom only took 7 total defensive snaps. That's how you secure a comp pick.
Over the Cap's Nick Korte ran 20 simulations to predict what teams may receive a compensatory pick, for what players and in what round they'll receive that selection. Every one of Korte's simulations resulted in the Saints receiving a fourth round pick for Adebo.
Quincy Riley taking over was a double win for the Saints
Coaches will never admit that the elevation of Riley and demotion of Yiadom was connected to the hope of a 2026 comp pick, just like they wouldn't admit the Saints were rebuilding. It just doesn't send a competitive message to the team. Thankfully, Riley played well enough to justify the move on the field.
Getting an extra fourth round pick was big, especially since the Saints traded their fourth for Devaughn Vele before the season. Thinking a comp pick was on the way may have even played a part in the Saints' willingness to make the Vele trade. They offset that loss of pick by dealing Rashid Shaheed for a fourth, but that wasn't the case when Riley was thrown into a bigger role. Looks like the Saints will end with two fourth round picks, just like it was always intended.
As beneficial as getting another pick was, Riley showing potential to be a starting cornerback is more impressive and important. Sticking with Yiadom wouldn't have given the Saints any mobility for the future. Riley, on the other hand, gives you a young player who could be a starter for years.
Riley showcased his ball skills that were a staple of his collegiate career. He was a turnover machine at Middle Tennessee State and Louisville. Riley finished his rookie campaign with a fumble recovery and one interception. He led the ACC in passes defense as a senior and racked up double digit passes defensed in his rookie year.
The Saints got a year of simultaneous development and evaluation from Riley and a comp pick. This was legitimately the best case scenario. On top of that, Riley actually looks like he could be a starter at the position.