By Ross Jackson
There were several tight ends not available for the New Orleans Saints as training camp kicked off on Wednesday. That opened up opportunities for some of the young players and new faces to show what they can bring to the practice field. Of them, fifth-year tight end Michael Jacobson seized the opportunity.
The Saints were without three tight ends that were on the team’s roster in 2024. Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill started camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, and second-year pass-catcher Dallin Holker announced his retirement the day before camp officially began.
Jacobson’s Eye-Catching Day
LouisianaSports.Net charted the 6-foot-7 former basketball player with three targets in the day, all three of which were caught and all three attacked different eras of the field.
His best play was a leaping grab over the middle of the field on a stellar pass from third-year quarterback Jake Haener. Haener had to get the ball over safety Elliott Davison, who was in coverage underneath, but also couldn’t put too much air under the ball with safety JT Gray crashing down from over the top. Jacobson located the spot on the field he needed to be in order to give his quarterback a window and then went up and snagged the pass out of the air with a well-timed leap.
This Time May Be Different
This isn’t a one-off performance for the 28-year-old Iowa State alum. He has consistently been a standout among tight ends throughout training camp. However, he’s been behind several top-end players without much of an opportunity to carve a path. Right now, he has a real shot along with rookie Moliki Matavao, second-round player Treyton Welch and UFL transfer Seth Green, to impress and catch eyes while the Saints manage attrition at the position.
Nice throw by Spencer Rattler to Michael Jacobson in the endzone. Rattler throws it high enough for Jacobson to high point it. @wdsu pic.twitter.com/zKLjzfJb3A
— Sharief Ishaq (@ShariefWDSU) August 3, 2024
Jacobson has not yet appeared in an NFL regular season game. If he can continue to string along practices like this one and add some consistent contributions in the preseason, he could land on the 53-man roster if Moreau and Hill aren’t ready to go with Juwan Johnson and Jack Stoll looking solidly set for their spots.
