New Orleans Saints Set to Replace Marshon Lattimore: A Look at the 2025 NFL Draft and the Pursuit of Will Johnson
January 23, 2025 – New Orleans, LA – The New Orleans Saints are in the midst of one of the most critical offseasons in recent memory. Following another disappointing season, the Saints found themselves once again out of the playoff picture, marking their fourth consecutive year of missing the postseason. With injuries and a stagnant offense playing a significant role in their inability to compete at the highest level, the Saints now face the daunting task of rebuilding a roster that has more holes than it has had in years.
One of the most pressing issues the Saints need to address this offseason is the defensive backfield, specifically the cornerback position. With Marshon Lattimore, one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks, traded away for a third-round pick, the team finds itself in need of a true shutdown corner. Enter the 2025 NFL Draft, where the Saints hope to find a worthy replacement for Lattimore.
The 2025 NFL Draft: A Fresh Start for the Saints
The New Orleans Saints have been in a state of flux ever since the departure of head coach Sean Payton and the decline of their once-stellar defense. This past season, despite a promising start, injuries and roster instability kept the team from finding any real rhythm, leaving them with a 5-12 record and a hole in the defensive backfield that will be hard to fill.
As the Saints look ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft, they are faced with the challenge of balancing their needs for both offensive and defensive improvements. However, according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper, the Saints’ most urgent need in this draft is at cornerback. With Lattimore now out of the picture, Kiper believes the Saints will use their valuable ninth-overall pick to select Will Johnson, a rising star cornerback out of Michigan.
Kiper is adamant that Johnson has the tools necessary to step into the NFL and contribute right away. “Johnson—who reads the quarterback incredibly well and has the quickness to finish plays with takeaways—could be the Marshon Lattimore replacement in New Orleans,” Kiper writes in his latest mock draft. “They have to find Day 1 starters in the draft, and Johnson would fill a big hole.”
Will Johnson: The Cornerback New Orleans Needs?
Will Johnson, who has been gaining attention as one of the top cornerback prospects in the 2025 draft class, has the potential to be a true game-changer for the Saints. Standing at 6’2” and weighing in at 200 pounds, Johnson possesses the size and physicality that teams covet in a cornerback. His ability to handle both bigger receivers and quick, nimble ones makes him versatile enough to excel in various defensive schemes, an asset the Saints sorely need after Lattimore’s departure.
Johnson’s skill set, however, goes beyond his size and athleticism. A player with high football IQ, he is known for his ability to read the quarterback’s eyes and predict where the ball is going, making him a prime candidate for creating turnovers. His instincts in zone coverage are equally impressive, as he can anticipate routes and pounce on passes before receivers even have a chance to make a play.
While Johnson has shown he can thrive in man-to-man coverage, his agility and quickness also lend themselves well to the Saints’ typical zone-based defensive schemes. The Michigan product’s footwork and ability to mirror receivers throughout their routes make him one of the most polished cornerbacks in this draft class, even though he may need to fine-tune his overall technique and tackling ability.
Despite being a standout in college, Johnson’s game is not without its flaws. Like many young cornerbacks, he can struggle with his fundamentals at times, particularly against elite receivers who know how to exploit slight missteps. His tackling, though solid, is also an area that will need improvement. However, with the right coaching and development, Johnson has the potential to become a lockdown cornerback in the NFL—a player that the Saints could build their secondary around for years to come.
The Saints’ Cornerback Depth: What Does the Future Hold?
The idea of replacing Lattimore with a prospect like Will Johnson brings both excitement and concern to Saints fans. The team’s decision to trade Lattimore has already raised questions about the direction of the franchise, and with the cornerback’s departure, New Orleans finds itself with a major void to fill. While Johnson appears to be a strong candidate, the question remains: Will the Saints be able to pair him with other cornerbacks to solidify the secondary?
As of now, the Saints’ other starting cornerback, Paulson Adebo, is an impending free agent. Adebo, a former third-round pick, has shown flashes of promise during his time in New Orleans but remains unproven as a consistent top-tier starter. The Saints have limited financial flexibility this offseason, sitting $52.3 million over the salary cap, so retaining Adebo could prove challenging unless the team works to restructure contracts or make other financial moves.
If Adebo is re-signed, he could form a formidable duo with Johnson, especially if the rookie can immediately transition to a starting role. However, if Adebo walks in free agency, the Saints may be forced to rely solely on their rookie cornerback to fill a significant void, making the need for a reliable veteran presence even more crucial.
What’s Next for the Saints in the 2025 Draft?
While the cornerback position is the Saints’ most glaring need, the 2025 draft is filled with other areas that the team will likely address. The offensive line, which has struggled at times to protect quarterback Derek Carr, is another priority. The Saints are likely to target a potential left tackle or guard early in the draft to shore up the protection in front of their signal-caller.
Some have speculated that the Saints might use their first-round pick on a prospect like Will Campbell, an offensive tackle from LSU who has impressed scouts with his size, strength, and athleticism. Given the volatility of the Saints’ cap situation, this move could help stabilize the line and give Carr a more solid foundation moving forward.
However, assuming they draft Johnson with the ninth-overall pick, the Saints will need to look for solutions in other positions with their remaining selections. With the team’s salary cap constraints, finding starters and contributors on a budget will be key to the Saints’ success in 2025 and beyond.
The Saints’ Road Ahead: A Rebuilding Effort in the Making
The decision to trade Marshon Lattimore signals a shift in philosophy for the New Orleans Saints. After years of being a perennial playoff contender, the franchise is now in the midst of an overhaul. While some fans are concerned about the lack of direction following a disappointing 2024 season, the team is attempting to balance both the need for veteran leadership and the desire to build through the draft.
Selecting Will Johnson as Lattimore’s replacement is the first step in a long process, but it’s a promising one. If Johnson can develop into the player many expect him to be, the Saints could find themselves with a new defensive cornerstone for the next decade. Coupled with key additions to the offensive line and perhaps more pieces in the secondary, New Orleans may be on its way back to relevance sooner than expected.
The Saints’ future rests on hitting on their draft picks, especially with their current salary cap constraints and limited flexibility in free agency. Fans can only hope that the team’s front office, led by general manager Mickey Loomis, will make the right calls, starting with a top-tier cornerback like Will Johnson. If the Saints can strengthen their defense while continuing to develop their offense, the window for a successful rebuild could be open sooner than anticipated.
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, all eyes will be on the New Orleans Saints and their first-round pick. Will Johnson could be the new face of the defense, and the team’s selection could prove to be one of the most important moves in the post-Lattimore era.
