The New Orleans Saints have continued to add to their coaching staff, signing longtime college assistant coach Terry Joseph as their new defensive pass game coordinator.
Joseph is a New Orleans native that has been with the Texas Longhorns since 2021. Along with needing help with coaching in the secondary, it is also a need this offseason.
When it comes time to narrow down prospects for the 2025 NFL draft, Joseph could provide some key insight on a couple of top prospects that would make sense as targets for the Saints. He’s had hands-on experience coaching several Longhorns defensive backs.
A player that some believe to be the best cornerback in the draft class, Jahdae Barron, has learned under Joseph since the 2021 season. He was a part of the recruiting class before the coach got to the school, but they have been together for a while now.
If New Orleans want Barron, he would have to be their selection in the first round. While he is a talented player, it might not be the best use of their resources. His best fit is at the nickel slot and that is not as large of a need as another boundary corner would be. Taking him in the top-10 would be a bit of a stretch. Given how talented of a player he is, though, nothing will be off the table.
The other player in this class that has been coached by Joseph would be safety Andrew Mukuba. This was his first year under the new Saints coach as he transferred over from the Clemson Tigers before the season.
Mukuba is likely to get selected on the second day of the draft and is at a much more needed position at safety. He had easily his best campaign under Joseph with 69 tackles, five interceptions (led the SEC), seven passes broken up and a forced fumble.
He would make a lot of sense for New Orleans to target in Rounds 2 or 3.