By Ross Jackson
With an 11-player undrafted free agent (UDFA) list, the New Orleans Saints found some impressive talent after the draft. Many of which will have a chance to stick either on the 53-man roster or practice squad during their rookie year.
The journey to that destination begins next weekend as rookie minicamps kickoff for the Saints on May 8.
Three UDFAs in particular stand out early as those we’ll be watching closely next weekend.
Wake Forest EDGE Jasheen Davis
Davis, 6-foot-3 and 251 pounds, is a perfect prototype fit for defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s system. He’s an outside edge rusher with the versatility to move about. Davis made an impact on the run and pass rush game for the Demon Deacons. He also has an impressive collection of pass rush moves.
He had 25.5 sacks as well as 52 tackles for a loss throughout his collegiate career. He fits the trend of experienced draft picks with more than 50 games played in college, and he checks the durability box having missed just two contests in his career. The Saints have a limited supply of pass rushers that fit Davis’ mold, giving him a real shot to impress and stick.
Jasheen Davis’s 7 pressures almost all came from different alignments and/or different rush moves.
He won on edge with speed/bend, on edge with power/burst, stunting inside with balance, and high motor against double teams.
Impressive performance for Davis #ShrineBowlWhosNext https://t.co/TER1V5TCDL pic.twitter.com/gQd4HhuPak
— Eric Galko (@EricGalko) September 11, 2023
Kansas State OL Easton Kilty
Kilty is a versatile offensive lineman that has seen starts at both tackle positions and both guard spots. That’s exactly the kind of positional flexibility that helps an undrafted player land a spot in New Orleans. Not only is he versatile, but he proved to be effective as well.
Kilty allowed just 17 career pressures with only three career sacks during his tenure in college. He transferred from North Dakota State, where he was excellent, and went up in competition level to Kansas State and still performed well. He has appeared in 51 career games with 50 starts. At 6-foot-6 and 307 pounds, his experience, versatility and durability should put him on the map.
Delaware RB Marcus Yarns
The Saints have shown an affinity for undrafted running backs as of late. UDFA back Jordan Mims was acquired via waivers in 2023 and has stuck in the roster the last two seasons along with seeing playing time. Last year, Xzavian Valladay joined the roster as an undrafted running back as well.
Highlights of Saints UDFA Rb Marcus Yarns pic.twitter.com/7YGrOQ3KEm
— kaj (@kadinjanisch) April 30, 2025
Now, with a new coaching staff in place, Yarns has entered the conversation. The 5-foot-11, 193-pound running back has great speed (4.45 second 40-yard dash) and burst. He’s a patient runner that lets things set up ahead of him before attacking upfield, does good work in the open field and can run routes and catch passes out of the backfield with great efficiency. Yarns is a name to know.
