The Saints snag a physically imposing CFL star. Discover how Damien Alford's size and speed could unlock a new vertical dimension for New Orleans' offense.
The New Orleans Saints have made a living off finding "diamonds in the rough," from small-school stars to undrafted gems. Their latest flyer, however, comes from north of the border. On January 7, 2026, the Saints signed WR Damien Alford—the 2025 No. 1 overall pick in the CFL Draft—to a reserve/future contract.
While "futures deals" often result in training camp fodder, Alford represents a specific archetype that the Saints have been desperate to find: a vertical threat with legitimate "X-receiver" size.
The Physical Prototype
The first thing that jumps off the page with Alford isn't a stat, it’s his frame. Standing at 6'6" and weighing 224 lbs, Alford is a physical anomaly in a modern NFL that has trended toward smaller, twitchier slot receivers. He spent four seasons at Syracuse from 2020 to 2023, snagging 67 receptions for 1,291 yards (19.3 per catch) and logging seven touchdowns and progressed to be the first pick in the 2025 CFL draft by the Calgary Stampeders.
When you pair that size with his 4.46-second 40-yard dash (recorded during his collegiate Pro Day), you aren't just looking at a big body; you’re looking at a weapon that can stress a defense vertically. In a Saints wide receiver room where only Devaughn Vele and Elijah Cooks offer significant height, Alford provides a red-zone target and deep-ball specialist that rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, fresh off an impressive Offensive Rookie of the Month nod, could desperately use.
Quality Over Quantity: The CFL Tape
Some fans might look at Alford’s 2025 stats with the Calgary Stampeders, 20 receptions for 407 yards, and wonder why there’s any hype. But look closer at the efficiency per CFL.com
20.4 Yards Per Catch: 407 total yard. This led the CFL for players with at least 10 receptions.
Touchdown Rate: 25% of his catches resulted in a touchdown (5 TDs on 20 catches).
The "Pop" Game: Week 6 of the 2025 season for the Calgary Stampeders against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, he exploded for 156 yards and two scores, proving that when the volume is there, the production follows.
Why This Matters for New Orleans
The Saints’ offense has entered a new era. With the emergence of Tyler Shough and the defensive dominance of Chase Young, the team is transitioning from a "rebuilding" phase into a "competitive window" phase. Focusing on younger talent to mold into a new system under Kellen Moore, the Saints are looking for long term talent with years to invest. This is the prime time to take players and build the new era and find the right pieces.
Beyond Chris Olave, the Saints' receiving corps is largely unproven or role-specific. By securing Alford, Mickey Loomis has signaled that the team sees Alford as more than just a camp body.
Low Risk, Massive Ceiling
Is Damien Alford the next Marques Colston? It’s too early for that. But for a team like New Orleans, which is currently retooling its offensive identity, Alford is the perfect "lottery ticket."
He brings a physical dimension that the current roster lacks and a level of professional experience as a former No. 1 overall pick that most "futures" signings don't possess. If his speed translates to the NFL turf as well as it did in Calgary, the Saints may have just found the vertical "bail-out" target Tyler Shough needs.