With uncertainty looming in the cornerback room, could either of these free-agent vets be the answer for New Orleans?
The New Orleans Saints will enter training camp with more uncertainty than stability in their cornerback room.
The group currently includes 22-year-old second-year CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, 26-year-old fourth-year presumed slot corner Alontae Taylor, 29-year-old Isaac Yiadom entering his eighth NFL campaign, 24-year-old fourth-round rookie Quincey Riley, 25-year-old second-year former undrafted free agent Rico Payton, 24-year-old Rejzohn Wright in his third year after missing his rookie season on injured reserve, 25-year-old Jayden Price, who spent last offseason with the Atlanta Falcons and a season with the Arlington Renegades of the UFL, and 22-year-old undrafted rookie Dalys Beanum.
A veteran presence could benefit the Saints’ thin, unproven cornerback room—especially considering the success these two players have had throughout their careers:
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CB – Mike Hilton
With Alontae Taylor seeing more snaps on the outside during minicamp, Hilton, 31, could be the perfect replacement in the slot if the Saints decide to keep Taylor out wide.
The former Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals nickelback is as consistent as they come as a tackler, racking up 60+ total tackles in each of the past four seasons.
Furthermore, Hilton could help New Orleans address one of their biggest weaknesses from last season—stopping the run. He earned a career-high 91.7 run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus in 2024 on 260 run-defense snaps with 38 stops.
The 5-foot-9, 184-pounder’s voice carries far beyond his stature and could provide veteran leadership to the Saints’ inexperienced cornerback room. The former UDFA of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016 has tallied 14 interceptions, 34 pass breakups and four forced fumbles over his eight-year career.
During his college career at Ole Miss, Hilton was named the 25th recipient of the Chucky Mullins Courage Award in 2015, which is awarded to a defensive player who embodies courage, character, and leadership. He was also named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, honoring the best defensive back in college football.
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CB – Stephon Gilmore
On the other hand, if New Orleans decides to keep Alontae Taylor in the slot—which I personally think they should—the 2019 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year is still available in 34-year-old Stephon Gilmore.
Although Gilmore had a down year in coverage, the two-time All-Pro finished his lone season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 with nine PBUs, 49 total tackles, 18 stops, one interception and one forced fumble.
The 2012 first-round NFL Draft pick of the Buffalo Bills had his best years during his tenure with the New England Patriots from 2017 to 2020, thriving in Bill Belichick’s hybrid defensive system that featured a base 3-4 scheme—similar to what new Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley will be implementing in New Orleans.
A former Super Bowl champion with five Pro Bowl selections, Gilmore has expressed a desire to mentor up-and-coming defensive backs. His veteran presence and proven success could be valuable for a young and unproven cornerback room.
Dallas Cowboys corner DaRon Bland credited Gilmore for his breakout, record-breaking 2023 season, when he took six of his nine interceptions to the house for touchdowns—surpassing the previous mark of four pick-sixes shared by Eric Allen (1993), Jim Kearney (1972), and Ken Houston (1971).
If it were to happen, I’d expect it to be a one-year deal given his age, but I believe Gilmore would be an ideal fit and still a viable starting cornerback in this league. His addition would quickly answer the question of who starts alongside Kool-Aid McKinstry and Taylor (if kept inside), while also pushing the younger corners to develop faster through both mentorship and competition.
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What do you think—should the Saints consider adding one of these two veteran defensive backs ahead of training camp?