The New Orleans Saints made some tremendous strides on defense last season, which was instrumental in helping them get back to the playoffs. They are apparently looking to make even more improvements on that side of the ball this offseason, particularly in the secondary.
The Saints are set to target cornerbacks Malcolm Butler and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in free agency, per ESPN’s Dianna Russini.
Remember when the Saints and the Patriots almost made a trade for Malcolm Butler? I’m told there is new interest in getting him to New Orleans as a Free Agent, but they also have their eyes on veteran corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) March 12, 2018
The Saints were interested in trading for Butler from the New England Patriots last offseason, potentially in a deal for wide receiver Brandin Cooks. They still ended up trading Cooks to the Pats, but they received some valuable picks instead. Butler is on his way out of New England this offseason after he was controversially benched in the Super Bowl.
Meanwhile, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was recently released by the New York Giants after declining to take a pay cut for next season. Rodgers-Cromartie, 31, spent the last four seasons with the Giants. He was selected to the Pro Bowl back in 2015 and had a career-high six interceptions in 2016. However, he saw his role limited last season as he started just six games and had zero picks for just the second time in his career.
Either one of those proven corners would be a welcome addition to what is primarily a young Saints cornerback group led by Marshon Lattimore. The 21-year-old Ohio State product had a brilliant rookie season as he had five interceptions, 18 passes defended, a forced fumble/recovery and a defensive touchdown en route to winning the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
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