Heading into the 2024-25 NFL season, the New Orleans Saints boasted one of the deepest and most talented cornerback groups in the league. Marshon Lattimore remained an elite cover defender, Paulson Adebo was coming off a career-best season, and Alontae Taylor showed flashes of Pro Bowl potential. The unit was further strengthened with the addition of 2024 second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry.
Fast forward to this offseason, and the situation has changed dramatically. Lattimore was traded to Washington midseason, while Adebo departed in free agency to join the Giants after missing the latter half of last season with a broken leg. Suddenly, cornerback has become a position of need for the Saints.
Although other roster concerns may take priority, the team could still target a cornerback as early as the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, who projects as an NFL corner, is expected to be a top-five selection. Michigan’s Will Johnson, widely regarded as the second-best cornerback prospect, could still be available when the Saints pick at No. 9. Texas’ Jahdae Barron, who played under new Saints assistant coach Terry Joseph in college, is also a likely top-20 pick.
Additionally, another rising cornerback prospect has been gaining attention on draft boards—one who may have previously gone unnoticed by casual fans.
Shavon Revel, CB (East Carolina)
A standout athlete in both football and track at Ronald W. Reagan High School in North Carolina, Revel began his college career at Louisburg Junior College before transferring to East Carolina in 2022.
Over three seasons with the Pirates, Revel recorded three interceptions, 16 pass breakups, and five tackles for loss. He also found the end zone twice on defense—once on an interception return and once on a fumble return. After a strong 2023 campaign, where he logged one interception and 13 pass breakups, Revel entered the 2024-25 season as a potential first-round draft pick.
Unfortunately, his season was cut short after just three games due to an ACL injury suffered in September. While he is expected to be fully recovered by preseason, the injury could cause him to slide down draft boards. Additionally, his limited experience at the highest level—playing only one full season in the American Athletic Conference—raises concerns for some scouts.
In terms of his game, Revel has a tendency to play too upright in man coverage, which can slow his footwork and make him susceptible to quick, agile receivers. His lack of experience also shows in zone coverage, where he needs to develop better instincts. At times, he can panic and grab receivers, leading to penalties, and his aggressive playing style makes him vulnerable to double moves and deceptive play fakes.
At 6’2″ and 194 pounds with long arms, Revel possesses the ideal length that defensive coaches covet. His combination of elite leaping ability and 4.4 speed gives him the natural tools to keep up with any receiver. His aggressive playing style makes him a strong candidate to be a lockdown corner in man coverage, with his reach allowing him to compensate for a step at the catch point.
Revel’s change-of-direction skills and reaction time are often underrated, and once he refines his zone awareness, he has the potential to excel in any defensive scheme. His impressive body control further enhances his ability to win contested catches, complementing his physical traits.
With his natural talent and high upside, Revel projects as a mid-first-round pick. While his knee injury could cause a slight drop in draft position, he’s unlikely to fall far. At worst, he should be selected early on Day 2 by teams hoping he slides. He has the potential to be an immediate starter, and in a scheme that prioritizes man coverage with veteran safeties behind him, he could develop into a true shutdown corner.
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