The New Orleans Saints have lost two top-tier cornerbacks in a matter of five months. New Orleans traded Marshon Lattimore before the end of the regular season, then lost Paulson Adebo in free agency.
The Saints still have Kool-Aid McKinstry, a promising second-round choice in the 2024 NFL Draft, along with versatile Alontae Taylor. The team also brought back Isaac Yiadom, who was a surprise contributor during the 2023 season.
New Orleans still comes into the 2025 Draft with a need at the position. It's one that they may address in the first round with the ninth overall choice. Michigan's Will Johnson and Jahdae Barron of Texas are two possibilities there. If the Saints trade down in the first round, East Carolina CB Shavon Revel is another solid candidate.
The Saints may choose to address other needs with their first round pick. If so, there should be a few very talented corners available on Day 2. Notre Dame's Benjamin Morrison, Azareye'h Thomas of Florida State, and Kentucky's Maxwell Hairston are among those players. Another is a Louisiana native that starred in the powerful SEC.
Trey Amos, CB (Mississippi)
Mississippi Rebels defensive back Trey Amos (9) breaks up a pass intended for Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Dane Key (6). Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Attending Catholic High School in New Iberia, Louisiana, Amos was a state champion long jumper along with star corner and quarterback. He stayed close to home in Lafayette with his collegiate choice of the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns.
As a true freshman in 2020, Amos had an interception despite rather limited playing time. He'd see more action in 2021 and in 2022 would lead the Ragin Cajuns with 8 pass breakups. At the conclusion of that season, Amos would transfer from Louisiana to Alabama.
Amos played only one year for the Crimson Tide, breaking up five throws as a reserve. He'd transfer again after the 2023-24 season, winding up in Oxford with the University of Mississippi.
Wide receiver Bru McCoy III of Tennessee (15) battles with defensive back Trey Amos of Ole Miss (21) during Senior Bowl practice. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
Amos led the Rebels with 3 interceptions this past season, his first picks since his freshman campaign. He also broke up 13 passes, leading Ole Miss and finishing second in the SEC. Combined with his career-best 50 tackles, including 4 for loss, led to Amos earning 1st Team All-SEC honors.
Listed at 6'1" and 195-Lbs., Amos combines prototype length with good speed. He's projected as an outside corner with the versatility for both press-man and zone coverage responsibilities.
Amos is a willing and aggressive tackler. However, he can be guilty of poor angles or flawed technique, especially against bigger ball carriers. He'll also need to show more refinement in zone coverage.
With a tendency of over aggressiveness, Amos can be pulled flat-footed or out of position by misreading plays or on good fakes. This also holds true in man coverage, where double-moves can lead to him drawing penalties by grabbing receivers.
Mississippi Rebels defensive back Trey Amos (9) intercepts a pass against the Oklahoma Sooners. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Amos is an outstanding technician in man coverage. He has a physical jam that disrupts a receiver's route at the line, with the agility to stay with wideouts well into their pattern all over the field.
With outstanding recovery speed, Amos closes on the ball in an instant. He shows a good recognition of routes and disrupts throws with terrific reach and burst. On contested throws, Amos has exceptional ball skills and body control to make a play on the pass.
Trey Amos is projected as a mid-2nd round choice. He has the ability to be an immediate contributor and perhaps a Day 1 starter. With his coverage versatility and man coverage skills, Amos has the upside of a shutdown corner.
The Saints saw two shutdown corners leave their team in less than six months. If they address a different need in the first round, pairing Kool-Aid McKinstry with Kool-Aid McKinstry in the round could elevate an entire defense that struggled in almost every area last season.
