Saints are fit for Colts nickel Kenny Moore II in search for new team
The New Orleans Saints never did replace Alontae Taylor after losing him in free agency. Kenny Moore II would be a great fit after the Colts cut him.
We've seen the New Orleans Saints embrace their youth movement this offseason, and now they're one of the NFL's ten youngest teams . That doesn't mean they should avoid good players over 30 out of principle. With the Indianapolis Colts releasing veteran defensive back Kenny Moore II from his contract, it's an opportunity to clean up one of their weakest roster.
Someone needs to take over from Alontae Taylor in the slot, and that player may not be on the roster right now. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported news of Moore's release, with his colleague Jeremy Fowler noting that "Moore was due $10M in 2026, but this move wasn't really about that -- more so getting into the right fit and scheme for the player. " Taylor, 32, led the Saints with 566 snaps in the slot last season; every other defender combined for just 363 snaps.
If they had to play a game today, it would probably be a safety like Julian Blackmon manning the slot when the Saints work out of nickel personnel. Moore lined up in the slot on 4,804 of his 7,742 career snaps with the Colts. What about in zone coverage?
The Saints shifted to more zone looks under Brandon Staley (about 68% of the time) than when Dennis Allen was running the defense (at almost 61%), per Pro Football Focus charting. Last season, Taylor ranked 94th in NFL passer rating allowed among 133 qualifying defensive backs. Moore ranked 46th.