DPOY or Bust: Saints Risk Everything If They Pick Asante Samuel Jr. Instead
New Orleans, LA โ With the 2025 NFL Draft looming, all eyes are on the New Orleans Saints and their critical decision at cornerback. Rumors have swirled about the Saintsโ interest in veteran CB Asante Samuel Jr., but insiders and analysts are sounding the alarm: if New Orleans gambles on Samuel instead of drafting a defensive phenom, it could be a DPOY or bust scenario.
At the heart of the conversation is the franchiseโs pressing need to revamp a defense that has struggled to maintain consistency in the secondary. With a golden opportunity to grab a young, game-changing corner in the draftโpossibly one with Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) upsideโgoing with an older, smaller-framed Samuel may be seen as settling.
Samuel Jr., though experienced and technically sound, has faced questions about his tackling ability and size against elite receivers. While heโs flashed brilliance in spurts, critics argue his ceiling is already knownโand itโs not game-breaking.
โThe Saints are a DPOY-caliber player away from having an elite defense,โ said one NFC South scout. โIf they pass up a lockdown corner in the draft for a name like Samuel, itโs a risky move that could backfire big.โ
The Saints’ front office is reportedly split: one camp favoring proven experience in Samuel, and another demanding the team swings for upside and dominance in the draft. With the NFC South in flux and playoff hopes hanging in the balance, this decision could define the Saintsโ defensive identity for years to come.
Should they play it safe with Samuelโor roll the dice on a rookie with superstar potential?
The stakes couldnโt be higher. For the Saints, itโs DPOY or bust.
