By Ross Jackson
Every offseason, there are underdog players that find their way onto NFL rosters. Looking over the current 89-man group of New Orleans Saints players, there are some that meet the underdog criteria, looking to be the next surprise competitors to land a role in the Big Easy.
Sometimes those roles are as consistent contributors. Sometimes they are depth or practice squad players, but in every case, these are major opportunities for those that earn them.
This story will focus on a newly-added tight end that has a far better chance of making the 53-man roster than may be widely expected.
Tight End Jack Stoll
Stoll landed with the Philadelphia Eagles for the first time in 2021 as an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska. After some opportunities with other teams, he eventually got back to the City of Brotherly Love in 2024 before finishing his season with the Miami Dolphins.
He arrived in New Orleans this offseason as a free agency addition, re-joining head coach Kellen Moore in the process.
The 6-foot-4, 247-pound tight end is physical, smart and vocal and is already making a quick impression at the Saints’ facility as he battles for a spot in the team’s tight end room.
Last but not least, Miles Sanders. He ran as a man possessed. You can see the maturity in his play style. Patient. Decisive. Explosive. Balanced. Physical.
Without him, they do not win this game. pic.twitter.com/3u7TkRVY9z
— Gino Cammilleri (@GC24_Football) September 12, 2022
What makes him an underdog is that he is one of only two additions (along with seventh-round rookie Moliki Matavao) at the position. For the most part, he’ll be competing for a spot among incumbent players, which is always challenging. However, his path is pretty direct, even as an under-the-radar addition.
A Clear Path To The Roster
It won’t be easy, but Stoll does have a surprisingly clear path to the roster. Most of his route will be impacted simply by the number of players the Saints decide to keep at the position. If they keep four, there’s a good chance that Stoll slots in comfortably, especially with tight end Taysom Hill expected to not be ready for the beginning of the season.
Behind Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau, Stoll should be able to grab a roster spot alongside either Matavao, Dallin Holker, Michael Jacobson or Treyton Welch. An early four-player group prediction could already look like Johnson, Moreau, Stoll and Holker, for instance.
If the Saints were to only keep three, then Stoll will have to battle for his spot with the other talents behind Johnson and Moreau. But with no fullback currently on the roster, a versatile tight end could force the team to carry four.
Standout Moments So Far
Stoll’s standout opportunities have been limited with the lack of 11-on-11 drills the Saints have run throughout the offseason programs thus far. But he has still found a way. Many look at Stoll as a physical run blocker – which he is – but he does a lot more as a receiver than often credited as well.
He showed that off on a wheel route to the right side of the field during Saints minicamps.
7-on-7 drills
Spencer Rattler finds Jack Stoll along the sideline. @wdsu pic.twitter.com/ZiqMI7L7Pe— Sharief Ishaq (@ShariefWDSU) June 11, 2025
The play was well-executed all around, but his understanding of the delayed timing of his release and the athleticism to go up and make the catch with good body control all point to Stoll being just as valuable in the passing game as in he is in the rushing attack.
Stoll’s Resume
The former Wisconsin tight end battled some injuries in his final year at Lincoln but was a long-time starter even before then. He started all 24 games through his combined 2018 and 2019 seasons and contributed more than 200 receiving yards in each season.
He was also honored with the Sam Holtz Memorial Scholarship, which celebrated his leadership and excellence on and off the field.
Stoll was not an NFL Combine participant but did have an impressive Pro Day where he ran a 4.6-second 40-yard-dash and added a 31.5-inch vertical leap.
In the NFL, his physicality stood out as a blocking contributor, but he often found ways to make his presence felt as a receiver and punishing runner after the catch.
Eagles hit Jack Stoll pulling across the formation for a 1st down! pic.twitter.com/Zei2Vo8NsK
— Shane Haff (@ShaneHaffNFL) November 26, 2023
Why Stoll Has A Shot
Stoll’s outstanding blocking ability and severely underrated athleticism should make him a perfect fit for the eclectic role of a tight end in the Saints’ new offense.
The tight end not only has experience with Moore, but also with run game coordinator T.J. Paganetti. So, his in-depth familiarity with both the passing and rushing schemes will boost his value. Not only is he someone that can go out and execute what the coaching will want, but he will be able to help to translate what that means for and will take from the other players around him.
