Saints conduct interview with NC State cornerback Devon Marshall

When the New Orleans Saints lost cornerback Alontae Taylor to the Tennessee Titans in free agency, it became clear that choosing a successor in the 2026 NFL Draft would be a viable option. Holding pick No. 8 in the first round of the draft, general manager Mickey Loomis and his front office could have their choice at any cornerback they'd like, but they may target another position at that slot so early on.

The Saints might prefer to target a cornerback during Days 2 and 3 of the draft. This approach would help them look for an immediate contributor to complement cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley, while focusing on other positions at the top of the draft. One potential candidate is North Carolina State cornerback Devon Marshall, who completed a virtual interview with the team on Friday, per source.

Leading the nation with 16 pass deflections in 2025 and earning an 85.0 Pro Football Focus coverage grade, Marshall is an appealing Day 3 prospect for the Saints. The former NC State cornerback also posted 50 total tackles and two interceptions in 2025. He spent the past two seasons with the program after transferring from Villanova in 2024.

Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 194 pounds, Marshall recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.64 seconds. However, the testing results don't seem to reflect his quickness and ability to keep pace with receivers you frequently see on tape. Marshall also posted a broad jump of 10'3" and a vertical jump of 32.5 inches, along with a 4.4-second time in the short shuttle.

Marshall is projected to be drafted as high as the fifth round and is currently ranked No. 151 on PFF's big board. For the Saints, who possess five picks on Day 3 of the draft, Marshall could be an outstanding, league-ready cornerback capable of making a significant impact on a team like , which is looking to make a splash in 2026.