Even with some better play at the end of the year, making zero changes will be a mistake.
During the beginning of the season, many different areas of the New Orleans Saints roster were struggling, especially the pass defense. Rookie Quincy Riley was still not playing, and the starters were getting picked apart. This makes sense when moving to a more zone-based defense after some of these players have been man-coverage focused. But it was bad, and throughout the season, it was still being exposed.
Improvements were evident from players like Riley, Kool-Aid McKinstry, and Alontae Taylor, but none of them showed enough to be CB1. McKinstry has the potential to be the top corner on this team, but for now, the Saints should not rely on that happening. The search should not stop.
This offseason, the Saints should still be looking for a potential CB1, depth in the room, and a new slot CB if Taylor leaves. This can be done by adding two more players to the roster, but if the team decides to just go out and find Taylor's replacement without getting another boundary CB, it could be catastrophic for next season.
What the Saints Should Do This Offseason To Address CB
Taylor leaving in free agency is an extremely likely outcome, so the Saints will be forced into finding at least one DB to fill the slot. In free agency, players like Amik Robertson or Kader Kohou would be excellent signings by the Saints, will be cheaper options, and could be signed to multi-year contracts. In the draft, the first round has S Caleb Downs, who would be excellent in the slot for Brandon Staley's defense, or Kieonte Scott in the second round, who is very similar to Alontae Taylor.
Moving away from the slot options, getting at least one more outside CB is extremely important. If McKinstry and Riley are unable to take another step in development, the Saints will be without a CB1. Also, the depth needs another CB to come in if injuries happen.
Regarding free agency, this probably shouldn't be the direction the Saints take to find another CB. Investing the money elsewhere makes more sense, especially if they go the veteran route for Taylor's replacement.
So, that leaves the draft. The Saints just need to draft a CB they like in any round. This could be in the first round, with players like Mansoor Delane and Jermod McCoy, a Day 2 prospect, similar to what New Orleans did with McKinstry, or in Day 3, like with Riley last season. There are great options throughout the draft, and the Saints should use at least one of their selections on an outside CB.