What the Saints are adding in free agent pickup Martin Emerson Jr.
The signing of Martin Emerson Jr. fills a big need for the Saints, and may wind up being a free agent steal -- if the former Browns corner is healthy.
Cornerback was not a position that the New Orleans Saints addressed until the seventh round of the NFL Draft with the selection of TJ Hall out of Iowa. New Orleans was projected to draft a cornerback much earlier to replace the free agent loss of Alontae Taylor. After the draft, the Saints did address the need with the free agent signing of cornerback Martin Emerson Jr.
on Tuesday . Formally with the Cleveland Browns , Emerson brings three years of starting experience to New Orleans. If healthy, and more on that in a moment, he's projected to be the third corner with Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley at the very least.
Here's a look at what the Saints are getting with their latest free agent addition. Martin Emerson Jr. background Position: Cornerback Age: 25 College: Mississippi State Bulldogs Height: 6-feet, 2 inches Weight: 201 pounds NFL experience: 3 years In three collegiate seasons at Mississippi State, Emerson had only one interception and broke up 15 passes, including a team-high 11 breakups in 2020.
After a 3rd Team All-SEC selection in 2021, Emerson was a third round choice of the Cleveland Browns in the 2022 NFL Draft. The 68th overall choice, Emerson was the seventh cornerback selected that season. As a rookie, Emerson played in all 17 contests and made six starts, appearing in 72% (782) of Cleveland's defensive snaps.