The New Orleans Saints have turned to a longtime former rival to add some much-needed experience to the cornerback position. They agreed a deal with former Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowl defensive back Desmond Truffant after work on Monday, an ESPN source confirmed.
Truffant, 30, spent his first seven seasons in Atlanta and last year with the Detroit Lions. The 6-foot, 190-pound veteran has started 103 career games with 14 interceptions, and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2015.
Truffant will compete for a role as an outside corner on the opposite side of Pro Bowl standout Marshon Latimore. Other candidates for that starting job include veteran Ken Crowley and rookie third-round draft pick Paulson Adebo. No matter that location statistics are tested early and often in Week 1 by the Green Bay Packers and MVP Aaron Rodgers.
The Saints have identified the cornerback as a state of need since former starter Janoris Jenkins was released in March as part of a pay-cap purge. He also attempted to trade around 20 spots in the NFL draft to acquire either Jesse Horn or Pat Suren II. Then his options narrowed even further when veteran Patrick Robinson surprisingly announced his retirement at training camp.
The Saints' initial 53-man roster had only three cornerbacks - although safety CJ Gardner-Johnson primarily serves a slotted cornerback and fellow safety PJ Williams is a former cornerback who can slide when needed.