A New Orleans Saints helmet during an NFL football training camp practice at the indoor Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, La. Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020. Pool Photo by David Grunfeld ORG XMIT: LADG101
David Grunfeld
Free agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. visited the New Orleans Saints Monday, [according to an ESPN report](https://x.com/JFowlerESPN/status/1922079496921862537), though it may be a while before he signs anywhere.
Samuel may have been one of the top cornerbacks available during free agency this year, but he is dealing with a neck injury that required surgery in April. According to ESPN's report, Samuel expects to meet again with interested teams after a medical checkup in July.
New Orleans took a similar gamble on a player last year when it signed defensive end Chase Young to a one-year, incentive-laden deal shortly before he required neck surgery. Young appeared in a career-high 17 games and led the Saints in pressures.
The 25-year-old Samuel was originally a second-round pick of the Los Angeles Chargers, and he played most of his first three professional seasons under Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley.
He played all 17 games in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons, and recorded two interceptions in each of his first three professional campaigns. But an injury, which he has described as a stinger in both shoulders, limited him to just four games last season.
New Orleans could still use some help at cornerback.
The only players with any meaningful NFL experience to return from last year's club were Alontae Taylor and Kool-Aid McKinstry. New Orleans added fourth-rounder Quincy Riley and free agent signee Isaac Yiadom to that group.