Yiadom figures to have a big role in a new-look defense
The New Orleans Saints will begin in 27 days with a season opener at home against the Arizona Cardinals. Isaac Yiadom is wearing No. 27 for the Saints after returning from a one-year absence. Yiadom is our Saints Player of the Day and is expected to play a big role in a retooled New Orleans secondary.
- Name (age): Isaac Yiadom (29)
- Hometown: Worcester, Mass.
- Position: Cornerback
- Height, weight: 6-foot-1, 188 pounds
- College: Boston College Eagles
- Relative Athletic Score: 6.14
- Drafted: Round 3, 99th overall in 2018 (Denver Broncos)
- NFL experience: 7 years
- 2025 salary cap hit: $1,960,000
Yiadom had his breakout year in 2023. Injuries decimated the Saints at cornerback, pressing him into greater duty. Yiadom responded with a strong year, making eight starts and appearing in all 17 games. He’d have 1 interception and allowed just 48.9% completion percentage when targeted, with his 14 passes broken up ranking in the top 10 of the league. That breakout year caused the San Francisco 49ers to sign him in free agency. Yiadom had five starts and played every game for the 49ers, intercepting one pass while breaking up 6 others and forcing 2 fumbles.
Yiadom hit free agency this offseason, where he returned to New Orleans on a three-year deal. He’ll compete for a starting job opposite Kool-Aid McKinstry at a cornerback position that saw the Saints lose Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, and Shemar Jean-Charles. Yiadom will compete with rookie fourth round choice Quincy Riley for the starting role. Whoever doesn’t win the job will likely see plenty of snaps as the third corner in a Saints defense and secondary that will have a much different look in 2025.
