The New Orleans Saints seem to have found a difference maker in cornerback Quincy Riley, who they selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The 24-year-old has made headlines throughout training camp and the preseason, and projects to play a big role this season.
Coming out of Louisville, Riley has six years of collegiate experience, with his first three coming at Middle Tennessee State. With a 5-foot-11, 195-pound frame, he ran a 4.48 40-yard dash at the combine.
The speed and traits that gave Riley success have carried over into the beginning of his professional career. Veterans like Demario Davis have been impressed with how the rookie has handled himself, and the plays he’s been able to make.
“[Riley] is an amazing cornerback,” Davis said. “He came in and opened a lot of eyes through training camp, and was able to get a big interception [in the last game of the preseason].”
Riley’s Skill Set Can Help the Saints in One Specific Area
Cornerbacks who can cover well will always be a valuable asset, but another aspect of coverage is the ability to be a ballhawk and create turnovers. Riley has shown that he can be up there with the league’s best at getting his team the ball on defense.
The interception in the final week of the preseason was one of many that Riley has been able to generate dating back to training camp. Head coach Kellen Moore and the rest of the Saints coaching staff know how important creating turnovers is, and have enjoyed watching the rookie develop.
“[Riley] finds the ball, and he attacks the football,” Moore said. “That’s one thing that we saw on film coming into the draft process. He’s a ball guy. That’s what you need on the back end. Mistakes are going to happen, but we need to create turnovers. Those impact games.”
Across his six-year college career, Riley showed a consistent ability to put himself in the right position to come away with interceptions. He totaled 15 picks in 52 games in college, with a Second-team All-ACC nod in 2024.
New Orleans Seems to Have Been a Great Landing Place
The Saints have invested heavily in the cornerback position in recent memory, with second-round picks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Alontae Taylor projecting to start on the outside. Riley has the opportunity to be the first corner to rotate in, surrounded by a young group.
With Brandon Staley coming in as the Saints’ new defensive coordinator, Riley’s ball-hawking skill set can be fully tapped into. The rookie has already marveled at how much the defensive scheme fits his strengths as a corner.
“[It’s] how I like to play,” Riley said. “Eyes on [the quarterback], between the [quarterback] and the man, always having the eyes back, knowing I can play the ball and play the man at the same time. I think this defense works perfectly for me.”
Corners who implement a high-risk, high-reward style of play like Riley have had success in the NFL in recent memory, with players like Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland making a living off making big plays to get their team the ball. Riley is hoping to follow in their footsteps.
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