By Ross Jackson
Even as a returning player, someone’s path to the roster can be impacted over an offseason. With new additions via the draft and free agency, position groups and 90-man rosters become crowded. That has been the case for returning New Orleans Saints tight end Dallin Holker.
The talented Colorado State tight end landed on the Saints’ 53-man roster to start the 2024 season after signing as an undrafted free agent. The versatile collegiate playmaker was touted as the team’s “eighth round draft pick” by then-tight ends coach Clancy Barone.
The 6-foot-3, 241-pound Holker was often considered undersized for the position at the next level. However, his athleticism and ability as a receiver made him an exciting addition to the Saints’ offense even though he didn’t get a lot of opportunities his rookie season.
During his final year with Colorado State, Holker reeled in 64 receptions for 767 receiving yards and six touchdown grabs. Last year, however, he saw only four targets all season.
Holker spent much of 2024 buried behind tight ends like Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill. This year, the Saints have also brought back practice squad players Treyton Welch and Michael Jacobson while adding seventh-round draft selection Molokai Matavao out of UCLA in this year’s draft.
New Orleans also signed free agent Jack Stoll, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles. Stoll’s abilities as both an athletic pass-catcher and outstanding blocker may present the biggest obstacle to the roster unless New Orleans intends to hold on to four at the position.
While there’s no expectations presently set for when Hill will return to the field, the group is still cluttered with tight end talent, especially if Moreau is able to get back to going full speed in training camp.
The second-year tight end will have to fight off some other young competition, but his path is still available to get back to the roster. One thing that would help him reclaim his spot would be to show off more of his versatility. If Hill is going to be out and miss any time this season, Holker’s ability to be an F-move tight end that can line up in-line, in the slot, out wide and even in the backfield could be of use to New Orleans and offensive play caller Kellen Moore.
Holker will be an important name to watch throughout training camp as he fights through a crowded room to get on the path back to the roster.
