NEW ORLEANS, La. — The New Orleans Saints announced a pair of roster moves on Friday afternoon, ahead of their Week 8 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The #Saints have announced that they were awarded TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden off of waivers.
They waived RB Velus Jones Jr. from the active roster as the corresponding move.
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) October 24, 2025
The Saints were awarded tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden off of waivers. He is now the sixth tight end on the Saints roster or practice squad along with Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, Jack Stoll, Treyton Welch and Moliki Matavao. Quarterback Taysom Hill also often contributes to the position.
The 6-foot-5, 257 pound Mitchell-Paden entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame and Florida Atlantic. He’s been on the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad for several years, finally seeing regular season action in 2025. He also spent time with the Cleveland Browns.
He was targeted twice for one catch and three receiving yards.
As a corresponding move, the Saints waived running back Velus Jones Jr. With Jones again headed to waivers and running back Kendre Miller out for the year with an ACL tear, it is likely that rookie running back Devin Neal, wide receiver Mason Tipton and possibly quarterback Taysom Hill will contribute on kick returns.
