The Saints nabbed 10 UDFAs. Discover three high-upside talents poised to surprise and make a significant impact on the roster.
The 2026 NFL Draft has concluded, and while the New Orleans Saints added eight promising rookies to the fold, the real intrigue often lies in the post-draft scramble. Historically, New Orleans is a gold mine for undrafted free agents (UDFAs)—think Pierre Thomas, Rashid Shaheed, or Carl Granderson.
This year, Mickey Loomis and the front office have signed 10 undrafted players to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster or the practice squad. While all 10 will get their shot starting with rookie minicamp, three specific names stand out as high-upside candidates who could actually stick in the Big Easy.
1. Michael Heldman, DE (Central Michigan)
The Opportunity: The Saints’ edge rotation is currently a puzzle with several missing pieces. While the team traded for former first-round pick Tyree Wilson and signed veteran Anfernee Jennings, the long-term status of franchise icon Cameron Jordan remains a question mark as he explores free agency.
The Talent: Heldman enters the building with "disruptor" written all over his tape. Standing 6-foot-3 and 268 pounds, he was a force in the MAC last season, racking up 10.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss. In a room where only Chase Young and Carl Granderson feel like locks, Heldman’s ability to live in the backfield gives him a legitimate path to a rotational role.
2. CJ Donaldson, RB (Ohio State)
The Opportunity: The Saints’ backfield has plenty of talent with Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller, but they’ve lacked a consistent, punishing "thumper" for short-yardage and goal-line situations since the departure of Jamaal Williams.
The Talent: Donaldson is a massive human for the position at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds. While his yardage totals dipped at Ohio State last year (361 yards), his efficiency in the red zone did not—he found the end zone 10 times on just 96 carries. He is a "short-yardage merchant" who could solve the Saints' third-and-short woes, making him a prime candidate to steal a specialist role on the final roster.
3. Mason Shipley, K (Texas)
The Opportunity: Special teams battles are a staple of Saints training camps. While the team has seen success with International Player Pathway project Charlie Smyth, the kicker position is never truly settled until the season opener.
The Talent: Shipley is a sleeper pick here because of his elite accuracy. He finished his career at Texas State as the all-time leader in field goal percentage (88.6%) before a graduate year at Texas. If he can show the range to match his accuracy during minicamp, he could put immense pressure on the incumbent specialists.
The 2026 Saints UDFA Signing Class
CJ Donaldson: RB | Ohio State
Cody Hardy: TE | NC State
Alan Herron: OT | Maryland
Michael Heldman: DE | Central Michigan
DaShawn Jones: CB | Alabama
Jeremiah McClendon: CB | Southern Illinois
KeeShawn Silver: DT | USC
Mason Shipley: K | Texas
Jay’Viar Suggs: DT | Wisconsin
Alex Wollschlaeger: OT | Kentucky
Looking Forward
Whether it’s Heldman’s pass-rushing motor or Donaldson’s goal-line gravity, the 2026 UDFA class has the "diamonds in the rough" potential that Saints fans have come to expect. The journey from the "undrafted" pile to the Superdome turf begins now.