The New Orleans Saints' latest addition of Martin Emerson Jr. could mean more for the team than meets the surface. While the Saints seem to have their starting cornerbacks set with Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley, Emerson could push for one of those spots and put McKinstry or Riley in play at STAR.
Emerson's history proves he could have a role as a starter. In his first two seasons with the Browns, Emerson was extremely with the ball in the air. As a rookie, he had 15 passes defensed. The next season he racked up 14 passes defensed but turned 4 of those opportunities into interceptions.
It's hard to ignore that production as merely a depth piece. Riley is less entrenched than McKinstry, so it's more likely for Emerson to push Riley for a starting role. It's a good chance the team at least evaluates who is better. Riley is penciled in as the starter, and even if Emerson wins the battle, Riley has a route to the starting lineup.
Quincy Riley could still be Saints next STAR
This exact situation led Alontae Taylor to the slot in his second year. Taylor was in a training camp battle with Paulson Adebo. When Taylor lost the competition, he slid inside to the slot. It was likely the best case scenario. Adebo didn't have the skillset to project into the slot, and him winning the boundary corner job let the Saints get the three best corners on the field.
Ironically, this a similar situation. Emerson is an outside cornerbacks, and Riley brings the flexibility to use the alteraive to play inside and out. The outside cornerback has to be the initial position determined. Riley could beat out Emerson and make all of this conversation becomes null in void.
Riley has shown a willingness to play in either role already. Using Riley would give the Saints a high level of coverage at the position. Riley also possess the tenacity to get involved in blitzes and run defense.
The Saints have two options for the STAR role in Julian Blackmon and Jonas Sanker. When camp begins, it'll be interesting to see how many reps Riley is getting on the inside. It wouldn't be surprising to see him cross train at the position along with boundary corner. If the Saints begin to see strides with Emerson, Riley could easily move into a competition with Blackmon and Sanker.
Add us as a preferred source on Google