After an NFL draft weekend in which they used most of their top picks on offense and added two veteran edge rushers, the New Orleans Saints have turned their attention to the defensive backfield.
The Saints are signing veteran cornerback Martin Emerson, according to multiple reports. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network was the first to report the news.
Emerson is a 25-year-old who started 33 games over three seasons for the Cleveland Browns, though he missed all of the 2025 season with a torn Achilles tendon.
When healthy, Emerson was productive. The 6-foot-2 corner was a third-round draft pick from Mississippi State in 2022 and had 29 passes defended in his first two seasons, including four interceptions in 2023. His numbers went down in 2024, presumably as teams stopped throwing his way. That season he had a career-high 80 tackles, five passes defended and a forced fumble.
He suffered the non-contact Achilles injury early in training camp last year.
Emerson joins a group of Saints cornerbacks that lost nickelback Alontae Taylor to free agency and returns starting outside corners Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley. Emerson also has played primarily outside.
At safety, the Saints return starters Justin Reid and Jonas Sanker, as well as Julian Blackmon, who suffered a season-ending torn labrum injury in last year’s season opener.
The Saints also drafted safety Lorenzo Styles from Ohio State in the fifth round and cornerback T.J. Hall from Iowa in the seventh round.
