Football
Saints rookie minicamp is officially upon us. The smell of football is wafting through the fresh, rain-soaked air of New Orleans. As fans embrace the excitement of a return to a season of hope, there is a buzz around the Saints because there is a lot that is new.
The Saints made significant strides in improving the roster this offseason, but there are still opportunities for roles to be claimed. The front office also did an impressive job of bringing in talent through Undrafted Free Agents.
Today, let’s take a look at a couple of guys who have the potential to make this roster—names that many probably are not discussing.
This UDFA class is headlined by Zxavian Harris. He was a top-150 prospect entering the draft but went undrafted due to off-the-field issues. It would be unfair to consider him a true “dark horse” to make this roster, given the size, talent, and athleticism that once had him projected as high as the third round. If his off-the-field issues are truly under control, you can write his name in a Sharpie on the depth chart.
Let’s begin with CJ Donaldson. Donaldson is a running back who most recently played at Ohio State. He began his career at West Virginia and finished with 40 rushing touchdowns. He also averaged over 4.5 yards per carry. This is a player coming off a season in which he had 10 rushing touchdowns on just 96 attempts. He also added 15 receptions, averaging 6.4 yards per catch, along with another touchdown.
Donaldson brings good size at 6’1”, 230 pounds. He is a power runner and could serve as a strong change-of-pace back behind players like Travis Etienne and Alvin Kamara. Injuries to Kendre Miller and Devin Neal present an opportunity for Donaldson to carve out a role for himself during minicamp if he can impress the coaching staff.
Offensive tackle Alan Herron is the next rookie who could be a dark horse to make the roster. Herron is not a traditional prospect, as he did not begin playing football until his junior year of high school and didn’t earn his first start until his senior year. He played college football at Shorter University before transferring to Maryland. I was able to have Ross Jackson from Locked on Saints as a guest on Timeouts and Tangents, and he shared his thoughts on Alan Herron as well.
In his final season at Maryland, Herron logged 521 pass-blocking snaps and allowed only three sacks. He also committed just two penalties over 760 total snaps for the season. He is not expected to challenge Kelvin Banks Jr. or Taliese Fuaga for starting roles, but there is a clear need for depth behind them. His raw potential makes him a strong developmental candidate for both the team and his own growth.
Finally, edge rusher Mike Heldman. Heldman was a four-year starter at Central Michigan, and his final season was his best. At the lower levels of college football, you want to see players dominate—and that’s exactly what Heldman did. In 2025, he recorded 10.5 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss, 53 pressures, and two forced fumbles.
The edge room is an area where the Saints need consistent production, particularly opposite Chase Young. With Cam Jordan still a free agent, the Saints may choose to replace his presence with a group rather than a single player. That approach could create a real opportunity for someone like Heldman to make the roster.
This UDFA class is strong, and there are several other names to watch, but these three are especially intriguing. They will be worth following throughout rookie minicamp and the remainder of the offseason.
Read More Anthony Parker