The NFL has officially passed roster cutdown day, with every team trimming their rosters to 53 players. While this day marks the end of the road for many players, it’s also the start of a new journey for some. A lot of the players who are cut will either be claimed on waivers or signed by a different team.
The Green Bay Packers will definitely be looking to do that as they hope to contend once again in 2025. The Packers are unlikely to find a starter among all of the cut players, but they could find some really good depth pieces. One of those players could be cornerback Rico Payton, who was waived by the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday.
Considering Green Bay’s concerning depth in the cornerback room, Payton would be the perfect player for the Packers to claim on waivers.
Packers should put in a waiver claim on cornerback Rico Payton
Payton joined the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and put together a really impressive training camp and preseason, making the roster as a rookie. He ended up appearing in 16 games, recording 11 tackles and one pass deflection, allowing no completions while only being targeted twice in 21 defensive snaps.
The young corner returned for year two hoping to build off a promising year one, and while he looked good throughout camp, he was ultimately edged out by other promising corners in New Orleans. Now, he’ll be subject to waivers before having the chance to return to the Saints’ practice squad.
The Packers should do their part in making sure he doesn’t go back to New Orleans. With Jaire Alexander no longer around, Nate Hobbs missing most of camp with an injury, and Bo Melton switching from receiver to corner, the quality of Green Bay’s corner depth is a bit of a concern.
Claiming Payton on waivers can help ease those concerns.