Standout Saints undrafted free agent additions

By Ross Jackson

Following the 2026 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints signed 10 undrafted free agents (UDFAs) to their roster. These players may not have been selected during the draft, but that doesn’t mean that an opportunity to make the roster isn’t available to them. A number of Saints players from last year’s 53-man roster or 17-man practice squad were undrafted players.

Paramount among them include starters like defensive end Carl Granderson (2019), tight end Juwan Johnson (2020) and  kicker Charlie Smyth (2024).

These players will have their chances to compete, beginning early with rookie minicamp, and earn a spot on the 2026 roster or practice squad. Here are three that stand the best chance to crack the 53-man list due to their own talents and the opportunities that may be available at their positions.

Central Michigan EDGE Michael Heldman

With 10.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for a loss last year, the Central Michigan pass rusher is a productive and disruptive player, giving him a shot to earn a role based solely on his merits. But it doesn’t hurt that the edge rusher position for New Orleans is in flux. Defensive end Camerion Jordan has not yet returned to the team, remaining a free agent, though It does appear that there is mutual interest in his return. 

The team traded for former Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Tyree Wilson during the NFL Draft in the hopes that a change of scenery will allow him to reach his potential and signed an elite run-stopper, Anfernee Jennings at the position as well.

However, the only two solidified names in the edge rusher room are Granderson and top-pass rusher Chase Young. A door is wide open for Heldman (6-foot-3, 268 lbs.) to impress and land a rotational, backup or reserve role on the edge. Though his path does get murkier if Jordan indeed returns.

Ohio State RB CJ Donaldson

The Buckeyes back was a short-yardage merchant last year, carrying the ball just 96 times for 361 rushing yards but piling on 10 rushing touchdowns in the process. Prior to that, during his time with West Virginia, he was more of a focus in the run game. Over his Mountaineers career, he averaged 4.9 yards per carry and scored 30 touchdowns on the ground during those three seasons. He’s another very productive player.

Measuring in at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds during the NFL Scouting Combine, Donaldson is a compact and physical runner that adds another element to the Saints’ running back room alongside young veteran rusher Audric Estime, who impressed last year.

Maryland T Alan Herron

It’s clear that Herron was in high demand coming out of the draft. He received a top-30 visit with the Saints during the pre-draft process and was given an impressive amount of guarantees on his undrafted contract.

Saints gave Maryland OT Alan Herron a $25,000 signing bonus and guaranteed a total of $272,500.

— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) April 26, 2026

The Westmoreland, Jamaica native never played football growing up, but started playing his senior year of high school shortly after moving to the United States. He’d go on to attend Shorter University for two years before transferring to Maryland for his final two seasons. Over his four collegiate years, he started all 46 of the games in which he appeared, never missing time due to injury.

Herron has a lot of development in front of him, but has shown a ton of promise that he can take advantage of that opportunity. It’s not unusual for an undrafted offensive lineman to make a Saints roster. The impressive 6-foot-4, 314-pound protector could be next.