Another Outgoing Free Agent Lost By New Orleans Saints, Budding Cornerback Heads Elsewhere
NEW ORLEANS -- That has got to hurt. One of the outgoing free agents that the New Orleans Saints would have loved to have kept in the facility is now headed to the San Francisco 49ers, per reports.
As shared by VaynerSports co-founder AJ Vaynerchuk on social media, the blossoming cover corner is headed to the Bay on a contract agreement with the 49ers. Yiadom was one of the bright spots of the Saints' strongest unit in 2023 - the secondary.
Atlanta Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith (81) rushes against New Orleans Saints cornerback Isaac Yiadom (27).
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith (81) rushes against New Orleans Saints cornerback Isaac Yiadom (27) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
He also had a visit with the Washington Commanders earlier this week. At which time it was noted that several teams had interest in the seventh-year defender.
His 14 pass breakups led him to hold the league's lead in forced incompletion percentage among qualifying cornerbacks per Pro Football Focus. He was also critical in helping the team to manage the loss of star corner Marshon Lattimore whose season came to a premature close due to injury.
Now, the public focus on the Saints will shift to the future of Lattimore and the team's defensive backs group. They were not able to retain Yiadom nor defensive back Lonnie Johnson Jr. who accepted a one-year deal with the Houston Texans. Both were also key contributors to special teams. The Saints also moved on from starting safety Marcus Maye, which was not much of a surprise.
With those changes, the Saints' secondary could look dramatically different in 2024, especially if the team makes the decision to trade away Lattimore. With a pair of starting-caliber corners in the wings in Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor, there is at least a foundation off of which to build. But one must wonder if creating more need at the area where the team was strongest last year is the wisest choice.
What likely took place here is that Yiadom may have been offered a starting role in San Francisco. Such a role is not guaranteed with New Orleans. With a starting role comes starting money, which the Saints would not have shelled out for a lesser role. Much like what happened in the 2023 offseason with linebacker Kaden Elliss.
One piece of good news is that because Yiadom was on an expiring contract, he could qualify for a compensatory pick requiring that his contract in San Francisco meets the financial criteria. Some may look at Yiadom as a loss that can be overcome. Which is not incorrect, assuming the departures do not keep coming.
However, there is no diminishing his development under defensive backs coach Marcus Robertson. He went from being a special teams contributor to hopefully grabbing a starting role in San Francisco. The glow up is real. For the Saints, however, the questions are mounting. Realistically though, the free agency period is far more than just four days. How they respond to these losses could be critical.
