PFF says Saints should target this slot DB in free agency
Dennis Allen has built the New Orleans Saints around his secondary, and fans should expect him to continue to pour resources into that position group in 2024. That starts with free agency. According to Pro Football Focus analyst Gordon McGuinness, their top target should be Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II. A specialist in guarding the slot, Moore could be a big upgrade in that role over Alontae Taylor. Here’s what McGuinness had to say in making his case:
2022 second-round draft pick Alontae Taylor has struggled from the slot through his first two NFL seasons. With the way the slot cornerback market usually shakes out, the Saints might be able to bring in some competition without spending too much. Kenny Moore II is coming off the highest PFF coverage grade of his career (79.3) in 2023 and would be an immediate upgrade on the inside.
No player was targeted more often in the slot last season than Taylor (96 times, per PFF charting) and he allowed the most catches (65) and yards (672) in the league. The six touchdown receptions he gave up were second-most. Taylor is at his best playing outside where he can use the sideline to his advantage and compete at the catch point further downfield.
Let’s compare that to Moore, who played six fewer snaps in the slot than Taylor and faced 34 fewer targets. Moore allowed 49 receptions for just 399 yards and intercepted nearly as many passes (two) as touchdowns he allowed (three). He missed a dozen tackles this year but played more than 1,000 snaps, so it’s not a bad rate.
Sure, Moore is 30 years old and is likelier to slow down than improve his game. But the Saints need a better answer for covering the slot than playing Taylor out of position. If they do something drastic with Marshon Lattimore and trade him, opening a path for Taylor to start out wide (where he’s played his best football), splurging on a free agent contract with Moore would make sense. PFF projects him to land a two-year, $13.5 million deal in free agency with about $8 million in guarantees, which the Saints could easily fit on their books after reaching salary cap compliance.
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