Jun 10, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Dante Pettis (17) during receiver drills during minicamp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
Every offseason, there are underdog players that find their way onto NFL rosters. Looking over the current 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.
A second-round, top-50 player now comes into focus as the Saints looked to build out their wide receiver room.
Wide Receiver Dante Pettis
The 6-foot-1, 198 pound Pettis isn’t going to check the box of the highly-desired “big bodied” wideout. But after joining the team late last year, he showed off his value as both a special teams contributor and receiver. Pettis was re-signed this offseason, earning another shot at a roster spot.
A former Washington Husky, Pettis has entered a room in development at wide receiver. Behind the team’s top options in Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, many questions loom round which pass-catchers will step up in supporting roles. Pettis has a chance to surprise as an underdog in the conversation.
A Clear Path To The Roster
Depending on the number of wide receivers the Saints intend to keep on their active roster come roster cutdowns, Pettis should have a solid chance to be in the mix.
Olave, Shaheed and the returning Brandon Cooks are all locks, assuming they all stay healthy. Second-year wideouts Bub Means and Mason Tipton made last year’s roster and hope to repeat and Cedrick Wilson Jr. has an existing relationship with head coach Kellen Moore from their Cowboys days together. They will be Pettis’s most recognized competition.
But with Kevin Austin Jr. also returning and new faces like undrafted wideouts Moochie Dixon and Chris Tyree and intriguing free agent addition Donovan Peoples-Jones involved, the battle to make the roster or snag a practice squad spot won’t be easily won.
Standout Moments So Far
Pettis has caught eyes through offseason programs most specifically because of his route running. During the final minicamp practice, he ran a great corner route against man coverage, uncovering in time for quarterback Spencer Rattler to connect with him in schedule. Pettis has had a few nice plays through minicamps and OTAs with rookie passer Tyler Shough as well, proving to be building chemistry with both talented signal callers.
The star punt returner in college also put together some nice return highlights last year. He averaged 32 yards per kick return last year, with a long of 38 and brought one punt return back 58 yards for his season long. The electrifying punt return against the Cleveland Browns was originally ruled a touchdown before review led to the call in the field being changed.
Pettis also caught a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a great pivot route and made a leaping grab for a much-need two-point conversion agaisnt the Los Angeles Rams as well.
Rattler to Dante Pettis. Give us 7
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/rCx6ZDJ5tY
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 5, 2025
Pettis’s Resume
Pettis finished his short string with the Saints last year with 12 catches for 129 receiving yards and a touchdown catch. He was also the team’s primary returner while a slew of injuries impacted that roster spot. He proved to be very effective in his special teams role.
As he entered the league in 2018 with the San Francisco 49ers, he got off to a promising start. The No. 44 overall selection brought in 27 receptions for 467 receiving yards (17.3 per catch) while reeling in five touchdown receptions. However injuries and an increasingly crowded production group limited his opportunities to sustain.
By 2024 he had spent time with the New York Giants, Chicago Bears, though his final years in Chicago were spent on injured reserve until he was eventually released just before the 2024 season began. He signed with the Saints in October and has impressed.
He stands out most because of his route-running on the offensive side. That has earned him the nickname of “Dante Potter” by wide receivers coach Keith Williams because “he runs routes like a wizard,” the coach said.
Pettis’s capabilities as a returner are no surprise as he became the NCAA leader in point return touchdowns (nine) before coming to the NFL.
Watch: History. Dante Pettis sets a new NCAA record with his ninth punt return for touchdown.#PurpleReign pic.twitter.com/AOnszBWpl1
— Washington Football (@UW_Football) November 5, 2017
Why Pettis Has A Shot
While wide receiver is his position, Pettis’s capabilities as a returner and blocker are probably his best assets. If he can prove that he can still be a reliable option in those areas, it will be challenging to unseat him of at least a practice squad spot with the team.
