The 2023 NFL draft is in the books, but we’re just getting started with this year’s rookie pickups. The New Orleans Saints are going to be busy recruiting undrafted free agents in the hours and days ahead, so check this space often for the latest updates.
They should find some good players. The Saints have a strong history in signing undrafted rookies, and two of them made the tean last year — wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (Weber State) and offensive lineman Lewis Kidd (Montana State).
Here’s everything you need to know about the newest members of the black and gold:
DB Anthony Johnson, Virginia
Johnson has great size at 6-foot-1.5 and 203 pounds with 32.3-inch arms, but he posted below-average athletic testing results which hurt his draft stock. He has good ball skills with 7 interceptions and 26 pass breakups but he’s been penalized 21 times in his college career and needs to clean up his play. (Source)
DT Jerron Cage, Ohio State
Cage isn’t a great athlete by NFL standards, but he’s been a good player in Ohio State’s rotation the last few years and could do well if given an opportunity. (Source)
P Lou Hedley, Miami
The Australian punter is one of the most interesting men in football, and he has a real chance at unseating Blake Gillikin in a training camp competition. (Source)
WR Sy Barnett, Davenport
Barnett is a highly athletic receiver cut from the same cloth as Deonte Harty and Rashid Shaheed, but he has big shoes to fill. (Source)
RB SaRodorick Thompson, Texas Tech
Thompson isn’t a great athlete by NFL standards but he’s been productive at the college level and was voted a team captain three times. (Source)
C Alex Pihlstrom, Illinois
Philstrom is a very well-rounded athlete and he has experience at all five offensive line spots. He has a lot of the qualities the Saints value and could make a strong case for a roster spot. (Source)
TE Joel Wilson, Central Michigan
Wilson is a middling athlete by pro standards but he has a lot of experience blocking and catching passes. The Saints need another tight end after trading Adam Trautman and he’s a decent candidate. (Source)
LT Mark Evans II, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Evans was a left tackle at the same school that sent Terron Armstead to the pros, but they’re dramatically different athletes. He’ll probably be moving to guard in the NFL. (Source)
LB Anfernee Orji, Vanderbilt
Orji is a very athletic linebacker who sometimes plays a little too out of control, missing a lot of tackles and drawing some penalty flags he’d like to have back. But if he can clean up the mental mistakes and better harness that physical ability he’ll be a very good pro. (Source)
WR Shaq Davis, South Carolina State
The Saints gave Davis one of the largest contract guarantees they’ve handed out in years, investing a lot in the 6-foot-4 receiver. He has a good chance at making the roster if Tre’Quan Smith, A.T. Perry, and Bryan Edwards can’t fight him off. (Source)
LB Nick Anderson, Tulane
Anderson is an average athlete by NFL standards with subpar size, but he was very productive at Tulane and brings one of the best stories in the entire draft to the pro level. He’s very easy to root for. (Source)
K Blake Grupe, Notre Dame
Grupe should push Wil Lutz for the kicking job after doing well at Notre Dame and Arkansas State. He was perfect on point-after attempts last year but needs to show more consistency on field goal tries. (Source)
