Cornerback The New Orleans Saints won the NFC South division last year for the first time since 2011 Cheap Michael Thomas Jersey , thanks in large part to a vastly improved defense that complimented their always prolific offense. The play and health of the Saints secondary, often a team weakness, was a major reason for the improvement. The team had an incredible Seven defensive backs miss significantly time with injuries in 2016, severely limiting any consistent effectiveness. The Saints addressed the issue in a big way before entering last season, drafting a cornerback with the 11th overall pick and a safety, Marcus Williams, with the 42nd overall selection in the 2017 draft to add to their already very young defensive backfield. After previewing the safety position last week, we take a look at what could turn out to be one of the deepest positions on the team in today's training camp preview.CORNERBACK Key Losses: Delvin Breaux (free agent, CFL)Key Additions: Patrick Robinson (free agent, Eagles), Natrell Jamerson (draft, 5th round)Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesMarshon Lattimore surprisingly fell to number eleven in last spring's draft, and the Saints wasted no time in pouncing on the Ohio State star. Lattimore would not only win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, but became the first New Orleans cornerback since Eric Allen in 1995 to be voted to the Pro Bowl, and just the fourth cornerback in franchise's 52-yr. history to receive such an honor. Lattimore led the Saints in interceptions (5, including one for a touchdown), pass breakups (18), and quickly established himself as one of the league's top cornerbacks. He can play either outside or slot, is equally effective in man to man or off coverage, and would often lock on to the opposition's top receiver. He has the size, athleticism, and natural cover skills to match up with the NFL's best receivers. Lattimore was primarily responsible for limiting star wideouts Jarvis Landry, Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson, DaVante Adams, DeSean Jackson Tyeler Davison Jersey , and Mike Evans to an average of just 25 yards per game when facing the Saints last season, and not a single touchdown reception. Atlanta's Julio Jones, widely considered as perhaps the top receiver in the league, was held out of the end zone in two memorable matchups against the Saints star rookie in what looks to be a gripping rivalry for many years going forward. Lattimore's ability to take on the opponent's best receiver with little help has an effect on the entire defense. It allows coordinator Dennis Allen to employ more intricate coverage schemes, as well as freeing up extra defenders for run support or more aggressive blitz packages. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsKen Crawley was literally thrown into the fire in 2016, his rookie season. After making the team as an undrafted free agent from Colorado, Crawley was pressed into a starting role due to the team's mounting injuries in the secondary. The result was a predictably uneven performance, but one where Crawley showed potential as he gained valuable experience. After an inconsistent performance last preseason that caused him to be inactive for the first two games of the season, Crawley was inserted back into the the starting lineup, where he and Lattimore formed one of the better cornerback duos in the league. Due to Lattimore's lockdown skills, Crawley was often targeted by opposing offenses, and responded with the second most pass breakups on the team, along with his first career interception. He was particularly tough to throw against near the goal line, giving the opposition fits with his tall frame and long reach. Crawley does struggle with smaller, shifty receivers, but performs his best against big physical wideouts, a trait that certainly suits him well against the bigger targets through the NFC. Like Crawley, De'Vante Harris was pressed into action during his rookie year of 2016 after making the team as an undrafted free agent. Unlike Crawley, Harris has not progressed, struggling mightily a season ago. He opened up the year as a starter in the first two games against Minnesota and New England, both losses. Harris was benched after those two contests, as the New Orleans defense surrendered a combined 692 yards passing, six touchdowns and 80% completion percentage. His defensive snaps were limited after that, but in two games when Harris did receive more extensive playing time, the Saints gave up a combined 665 yards and five passing touchdowns in games against the Redskins and Rams. Although he will be given an opportunity to compete for a roster spot again, Harris seems likely to be the first veteran cut from this group. Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsAfter playing in less than six quarters in his first two seasons due to injury Cheap Marcus Williams Jersey , P.J. Williams played in all 16 games in 2017, starting six. Although he had 2 interceptions and nine pass breakups, Williams' performance was inconsistent, and he often struggled in man coverage. Arthur Maulet looks to make a bid for extensive playing time this season, after making the squad as an undrafted free agent last year. The native of Kenner, Louisiana is a bit undersized, but is an aggressive man-to-man defender with explosive leaping ability. He earned a roster spot last season with solid coverage during the preseason and standout special teams play. Another special teams standout was reserve cornerback Justin Hardee, who had the third most snaps on the team on special teams, providing solid kick coverage, and blocked a punt against Tampa Bay, returning it for a key touchdown. Photo by Brian Kersey/Getty ImagesPhoto by Abbie Parr/Getty ImagesPatrick Robinson returned to the Saints this offseason, where he played for five seasons after being drafted in the first round (32nd overall) in 2010. Robinson was often inconsistent during his first stint in New Orleans, and has played for three different teams in the previous three years, but was one of the better slot corners in the league last season with the Eagles. Natrell Jamerson was drafted in the 5th round this spring, in part because of his outstanding special teams play, and also for his versatility in the secondary at Wisconsin. Jamerson, who was recruited to the Badgers as a wide receiver, played both safety and corner during his final three collegiate seasons. He will likely see snaps at both cornerback and safety this preseason, and shows natural defensive back instincts despite his inexperience. Crawley, Harris, and Maulet all made impacts as undrafted college free agents, and the latest player to watch may be former University of Cincinnati star Linden Stephens. Stephens has both the size and athleticism to match up with most receivers, and exhibits the aggressive coverage style that Dennis Allen and secondary coach Aaron Glenn prefer to play. The top three roster spots at cornerback look set, with Lattimore, Crawley, and likely Robinson. The major questions at this position are this:1) Will the Saints get the erratic Patrick Robinson of 2010-16 http://www.saintscheapshops.com/cheap-authentic-alex-okafor-jersey , or the Robinson that starred for a tough Philadelphia defense a year ago?2) Will any of the young New Orleans corners (Maulet, Jamerson, Stephens) be able to take spots away from more established veterans like Williams, Hardee, and Harris?Competition for those final 2-3 cornerback positions should be fierce throughout training camp and preseason games. The performance of Lattimore and Crawley helped spark a major defensive improvement in 2017, but the defense struggled when either of the two were out of the lineup. The improved depth of the Saints cornerback unit could be one of the keys to a championship run in 2018.Brian Baldinger sees plenty to like in Marcus Davenport NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger, also called Baldy, has quickly earned a spot among New Orleans Saints fans’ favorites.Baldy is known for his enthusiastic film studies, highlighting clips of players doing things really well - and praising them for it - as often as picking out things going horribly wrong and burying them for it.He’s done a lot to bridge the gap between fan-friendly content and the hyped-up coach speak you’ll hear on NFL sidelines.While that trademarked style has gotten him love from all around the NFL, Baldy’s relationship with Saints fans may be his strongest.He was the conductor of Marshon Lattimore’s Defensive Rookie of the Year hype train, and has become a big fan of other Saints like Alvin Kamara, Terron Armstead, Larry Warford, and Cam Jordan.He even chimed in with support for the New Orleans Pelicans during their recent go-for-broke playoff series.Lately, Baldy has turned his attentions towards the top 2018 NFL Draft prospects.One name he’s latched onto with intensity is Marcus Davenport.So far, it seems like Baldy has found plenty to like in Davenport and the trade the Saints made to go get him.Baldy just might get it.He highlights the need for a real presence opposite Jordan on the defensive line in this clip, showing how the Minnesota Vikings double-teamed Jordan on penultimate plays in their Divisional Round playoff game without fearing a breakdown in protection elsewhere.All Davenport has to do as a rookie is beat the man in front of him:Davenport was one of the names most-discussed at the Reese’s Senior Bowl earlier this spring, and while he struggled early in practice the UTSA grad turned on the heat in the game itself.Baldy appreciates that, and draws a connection between Davenport’s playmaking ability and an area of need on the Saints defense:while the Saints were third in the NFL in interceptions last year (20) they were second-to-last in fumbles recovered (5 of 20).Lastly, anywhere you look you’ll see Davenport described as “raw”.I can’t listen to a draft recap podcast without analysts talk about him like he doesn’t know what football is, or the expectation that he’ll be a gameday inactive as a rookie.These guys are focusing too much on what Davenport hasn’t done yet rather than what he does well, like hold up in run defense and generate pressure out of wide alignments.Baldy smartly picks up on this:It’s easy for Baldy to sell you on a prospect.So the wise thing would be to reserve your judgment, keep no expectations, and let things ride out.But I’ll be more than happy to drink the Kool-Aid on this one and celebrate every little thing Davenport does well.