On Thursday, the Indianapolis Colts honored veteran cornerback Kenny Moore II’s request to be released. Should the New Orleans Saints be suitors?
Since Moore originally made a trade request, the Saints have been rumored as potential suitors. While New Orleans already added to their cornerback room after the draft, signing Martin Emerson Jr, Moore is a slot cornerback and would fill an immediate need.
During the 2025 NFL season, Alontae Taylor took over slot duties while Quincy Riley and Kool-Aid McKinstry played on the boundary. When asked about his role with the Saints, Martin described most conversations putting him at the boundary, likely taking Riley’s job. With McKinstry comfortably the team’s CB1, and the likely chance Emerson is the team’s Week 1 starter across from the third-year cornerback, it makes a lot of sense for New Orleans to target Moore as their slot cornerback.
Moore has played nine seasons in the NFL, logging 67 pass deflections and 21 interceptions in the span, including Pro Bowl honors in 2021. The veteran was a Colts captain for three seasons and was named a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Nominee from 2023 to 2025.
The Saints were relatively quiet, adding to their defense during the draft. They had a clear goal of best player available, with the board falling with more offensive talent than defensive. Because of this, New Orleans didn’t add to their secondary until the seventh round with defensive back TJ Hall from Iowa. While it didn’t take long for the Saints to start building with free agents, signing Emerson less than a week after the Draft’s conclusion, there’s still room for improvement.
The Saints were surprisingly one of the best pass defense units in the NFL in 2025, but it’s more likely due to the team constantly running with the lead than it was a stout pass defense. While Brandon Staley has proven to be a good defensive play caller, New Orleans needs to continue to add talent, and grabbing Moore will be just that. He’d be an immediate starter at a position of desperate need, and they won’t need to commit long-term. Moore will likely sign a 1-2 year deal in free agency.
Moore is the perfect fit for the Saints’ defense. He fills an immediate need at slot cornerback, won’t cost the team an arm and a leg, and most importantly, won’t be a long-time commitment. 2026 will be a big season for the black and gold as they continue Tyler Shough’s development. Giving the rising star a better defense will do wonders for this confidence and development.
