Saints were just forced to outbid another NFC team in order to sign recently acquired veteran free agent
The Saints need veteran depth, and he could provide it.
The New Orleans Saints made a defensive move for their roster early this week as they prepare for Week 6. Due to plenty of injuries, the Saints have added cornerback Michael Davis to their 53-man roster. He spent time with defensive coordinator Brandon Staley with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Adding Davis wasn’t particularly simple for the Saints, either. They had to “outbid” the Detroit Lions in a unique way in order to sign the veteran cornerback.
Saints had to change offer to CB Michael Davis in order to add him over Lions
According to Mike Garafolo, the Saints weren’t alone in their pursuit of Davis. The experienced defensive back agreed to sign with New Orleans’ practice squad, but then, the Lions called to sign him for their secondary. With that threat of losing out on him for depth, the Saints signed him to their active roster, rather than the practice squad.
With the addition of Davis, the Saints waived RB Velus Jones Jr. They also signed WR Ronnie Bell and TE Moliki Matavao to their practice squad and released EDGE Garrett Nelson, OT Sataoa Laumea, and WR Tommy Mellott from their practice squad.
“The Saints have strong familiarity with Davis from his time with Brandon Staley and their joint practices with the Chargers over the years. I recall always being impressed by Davis at those joint workouts. He has the length and size the Saints like in their corners.” — Jeff Duncan
This veteran addition may add a bit of murkiness to the future of Isaac Yiadom in New Orleans. He was added during free agency this offseason but struggled out of the gates. Now dealing with an injury, rookie Quincy Riley replaced Yiadom in the starting lineup on defense for the Saints.
Cloudy future of Isaac Yiadom with New Orleans
Yiadom is currently dealing with a hamstring injury. He did not play in Week 5 against the Giants after missing two of the three practice sessions last week. It remains to be seen how much, if any, Yiadom will practice this week, ahead of a matchup with the New England Patriots.
Even if the veteran CB can return to full strength, New Orleans should embrace the youth of their roster and keep Riley in the starting lineup. Yiadom showed nothing in the first handful of games to prove that he needs a starting role in Staley’s unit right now. With Davis in the fold, he has more experienced competition as depth in the CB room as well.
New Orleans Saints News
Saints’ Spencer Rattler gets last laugh against Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart with win over New York
They may have made the right decision.
