I’m told CB Martin Emerson Jr. is signing a 1-year deal with the #Saints, per source:
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The New Orleans Saints signed former Cleveland Browns starting cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. The Browns drafted Emerson Jr. in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He started for the Browns for three seasons. However, he tore his Achilles prior to the 2025 season during training camp.
I’m told CB Martin Emerson Jr. is signing a 1-year deal with the #Saints, per source:
Emerson Jr. started in 33 of a possible 50 games for the Browns. In those games, he had 202 combined tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, and 34 passes defended. 2025 was supposed to be a prove it seasons for him, but because of the injury, the Browns decided to move in another direction.
Emerson Jr. visited the Houston Texans earlier this offseason. However, nothing apparently materialized with them afterwards. A year deal deal seem apt for his services.
GettyThe New Orleans Saints were expected to be heavily interested in Mansoor Delane.
The New Orleans Saints came into the NFL Draft with a major need at cornerback. The Kansas City Chiefs traded with the Browns to acquire the sixth overall pick on Thursday to take Mansoor Delane. Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach feared that the Saints would select Delane with the 8th overall pick.
Brett Veach basically said the Chiefs were worried, through their intel & their predictive model, that the Saints were also targeting Mansoor Delane.
Veach also learned, around the owners meetings, that the Browns were interested in a potential trade.
Prior to the draft, rumors swirled that the Saints wanted to trade up to as high as three, but the interest in that maneuver was primarily for an edge rusher; perhaps Arvell Reese or David Bailey.
The Saints relied upon Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley as started last season, but both still remain largely unproven and developing. New Orleans drafted TJ Hall from the University of Iowa in the seventh round of the NFL Draft. However, a seventh round pick rarely produces immediately in the NFL. A veteran signing becomes a necessary addition for the organization.
GettyEmerson Jr. declined throughout the years in Cleveland.
Emerson Jr.’s play with Cleveland declined as his expectations grew. In his rookie season, PFF gave him an overall grade of 72.5. In 2023, that fell to 65.8 but in 2024, that fell to 47.9. While he has been above average in coverage (63.3 average grade) throughout his career, Emerson struggled in run defense (55.73 average run defense grade) and tackling (47.67).
Prior to being drafted in 2022, Emerson Jr. received a RAS Score of 8.48 after participating in the NFL Combine and Mississippi State pro day. He tested well in all facets and has the ideal size for the position. He’s 6’2”, 201 lbs, and had 17 bench presses.
Secondly, his speed scores were good as well after running a 4.53 40 yard dash, 2.63 20 yard split, and a 1.57 10 yard split. His composite agility and broad jump drills were also decent: 4.14 second shuttle cone, 6.9 second three cone, and a 10 foot broad jump. However, Emerson Jr. struggled in the vertical jump only posting 32”.
With how he performed, it seems unlikely that Emerson Jr. will be the solution at cornerback. Especially since he comes off an injury. That being said, the Saints like to add former prospects on one year prove it deals. A fresh set of circumstances boosts a player’s development. It worked with Chase Young last season, so this seems to be an approach they want to continue exploring. The team brought in Tyree Wilson and Anfernee Simons recently on prove it deals.
Chris Lewis is a freelance sports writer based in Gig Harbor, Washington. He focuses on NFL, MLB (with an emphasis on the Mariners), and professional golf. More about Chris Lewis
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