Underrated WR Jalen Royals could be perfect NFL Draft fit for Saints

By Ross Jackson

After not landing a big-bodied and physical wide receiver in free agency, many expect that the New Orleans Saints will take their swing at this prototype in the NFL Draft. After adding Brandin Cooks to the fold via free agency, the Saints’ wide receiver room has a ton of speed. Adding a more physical player that can still stretch the field and threaten from multiple areas could add another layer to the team’s passing game.

Utah State’s Jalen Royals may be a player that fits exactly that mold. While he doesn’t stand more than 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds like the presumed prototype of a “big-bodied” pass catcher, Royals plays well above his size. He can line up inside or outside. 

Royals had a foot injury end his final season with Utah State after just seven games. However, it has long been expected that he will be medically cleared in time for offseason work with his NFL team. He was able to participate in some of the pre-draft process by running the 40-yard-dash at the NFL Scouting Combine and doing additional drills during his pro day workouts.

Royals’ Fit With the Saints

With Royals’ ability to play both inside and out, he would allow the team more flexibility with their group of receivers. He’s a physical player that can make tough catches in the short and intermediate areas of the field, giving the Saints a complement to Cooks, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed who all have field-stretching capabilities.

At Utah State, he reeled in 64.1% of his contested catch opportunities and holds a career drop percentage of just 6.7%. He’s a sure-handed wideout that has every tool necessary to play a large role for a passing offense immediately.

While he isn’t the same prototype that’s typically considered for the big-bodied receiver mold, his play style is reminiscent of Philadelphia Eagles wideout A.J. Brown, who Saints head coach Kellen Moore worked with last season. Brown (6-foot, 226 lbs at his combine) carries more weight, but still plays above the rim in 50-50 ball situations despite coming in at just 6-foot tall. Royals’ size and play style are closer to Brown’s than other 6-foot receivers in the league.

Utah State WR Jalen Royals finished his college career with a 64% contested catch win rate… The body control at the catch point is nice.

Love his work vs. zone coverage, too. Adds value with his wiggle and contact balance post-catch.

Scheme/Foot injury make a tricky eval. https://t.co/o2Wvcn5WEf pic.twitter.com/6rgLdFvoMk

— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) March 28, 2025

Royals’ 2024 Stats

• 7 games played
• 55 receptions
• 834 receiving yards
• 6 touchdown catches

What makes Royals a good prospect

His demeanor on the field stands out on tape, and his “go-up-and-get-it” mentality is something that NFL teams love. He has NFL speed and can be a threat at multiple levels in the passing game. He checks all of the boxes that would make him a first-round wide receiver, but the only thing that’s limited him in that aspect is the foot injury. If he is fully healed, he could be a sneaky second-round steal for a team. He also averaged 6.8 yards after catch per reception in his career.

Jalen Royals is a DYNAMIC playmaker.

Royals boasts 55 catches, 839 receiving yards, 6 TDs, and 17 missed tackles forced in just 7 games(!!) in 2024.

His most underrated skill is contested catching, converting 64.3% of his attempts.

Arguably the best RAC receiver in 2025. pic.twitter.com/56INdD1UZD

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 14, 2025

2025 Athletics Testing Results

• 40-yard-dash: 4.42 seconds
• Vertical: 36 inches
• Broad: 10-foot-1
• Shuttle: 4.25 seconds
• 3-Cone: 6.94 seconds
• Bench: 13
• RAS: 9.01

2025 NFL Draft Projection

Royals is projected as a day two selection in rounds two or three. The Saints would be in play for him with their No. 40 and possibly No. 71 selections. It seems unlikely for now that he would still be on the board when they select at No. 93 in the latter half of the third round, but wide receivers falling in the draft are not uncommon.

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