By Ross Jackson
Friday marks the beginning of New Orleans Saints rookie minicamp. While many eyes will be on the incoming class of first-year players, there will be a small group of veteran tryout players looking to catch on with the team.
Last season, this was the pathway for safety Roderic Teamer and defensive tackle Kendal Vickers to land a role in New Orleans. It could very well be a route for this year’s participants as well.
Of the 41 players expected to be present for the weekend’s minicamp, four are veteran players that are currently free agents.
Tryout veterans
- DB Terrell Burgess
- WR Leon Johnson III
- LS Logan Flusman
- WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
Each of these players has something unique that could lead them into roster consideration with an impressive tryout, should they maintain their performance throughout the regular seasons.
CB Terrell Burgess
The first thing that jumps off the page about Burgess in this environment is that he spent his rookie year in 2020 working with Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley as a part of the Los Angeles Rams. Burgess saw only 49 defensive snaps that season, serving a majority special teams role (75% of special teams snaps). However, the connection is still there as a part of the defensive backs group.
Special teams has been the name of Burgess’ game since entering the league from Utah. If he impresses on that unit, it could be a fast track to get him his next opportunity. He didn’t find the field in 2024, but spent the season on the Buffalo Bills practice squad.
WR Leon Johnson III
The Saints could use a big-bodied receiver and Johnson checks the box. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 207 pounds, the Oklahoma State wideout is a massive pass-catcher. He used that impressive size to reel in 60% of his contested catch opportunities in 2023, his final collegiate season. During that year he also graded out solidly as a blocker. Johnson spent last season on the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad.
OSU is going to miss Leon Johnson next year 😔 pic.twitter.com/J2DKdsuTqI
— BuffalOKstate (@BuffalOKstate) February 28, 2024
LS Logan Flusman
The long snapper may be the toughest chance of breaking in here in New Orleans. But hopefully he can help himself gain some exposure with other teams by making a good name for himself with the Saints.
Incumbent long snapper Zach Wood is now a two-time team captain and is just halfway through the four-year extension he signed in 2023. Flusman will be busy though, with undrafted free agent punter James Burnip looking to impress and give second-year punter Matthew Hayball a run for his money.
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
Without a doubt, this is the most intriguing name on the list. The Saints may be looking for another big body at wideout and Peoples-Jones has seen success in the league. At 6-foot-2 and 204 pounds, Peoples-Jones has a similar build to already roster wide receivers like Bub Means, Cedrick Wilson Jr., and Kevin Austin Jr. So, he will need his performance to help stand apart.
Donovan set new career-highs for receptions (8) and yards (114) in a game on Sunday 📈@dpeoplesjones | #Browns pic.twitter.com/Xt7cxNAZzg
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 13, 2022
Peoples-Jones had a very successful season in 2022 with the Cleveland Browns. During that year he reeled in 61 receptions for 839 receiving yards and three touchdown catches. But in 2023 he was traded in late-October to the Detroit Lions and never fully caught on. He remained with his hometown Lions through the 2024 season on the team’s practice squad.
