(Photo by South Dakota State Athletics)
By Ross Jackson
A year after finding a hidden gem in South Dakota State’s Isaiah Stalbird, the Saints are once again betting on a Jackrabbit—this time in cornerback Dalys Beanum.
.@dalysbeanum7 signed 🖊️#GoJacks🐰🏈 | #NFLJacks pic.twitter.com/bf4iWiXMvM
— SDSU Football (@GoJacksFB) April 27, 2025
The Omaha, NE native joined After Further Review host Matt Moscona for an exclusive interview on 104.5 ESPN Radio Baton Rouge on Wednesday. In the interview, Beanum talked about his connection with Stalbird, what led him to choosing the Saints, and the host of other teams vying for his talents following the draft.
On why he chose New Orleans, he felt it was the situation that provided him the best opportunity.
“It was down to a few teams,” Beanum said. “Really, (my agent) told me the Saints was a great opportunity for me. What I’d be going into, it would be a great opportunity. It wasn’t too hard of a decision for us to make.”
For Beanum, the opportunity wasn’t just right for him, but for his family, as well. The two-time national champion shared that his family (parents, brother and sister) are all from the Arkansas area. So a decision to get back to the south was an easy one for Beanum, who said that his family is always looking for a reason to get back to the region.
The cornerback said that he chose the Saints over a few other teams.
“I had interest from the (Miami) Dolphins,” Beanum listed. “The (Cleveland) Browns and then the (Chicago) Bears … The Saints were the top choice at the time because of the opportunity I’d be going into and what all comes with that decision.”
Highlights of Saints UDFA CB Dalys Beanum pic.twitter.com/gYNxK7MZDT
— kaj (@kadinjanisch) April 29, 2025
Beanum could be next along a long list of undrafted defensive backs carving their way into the NFL with the Saints. Last season, Pittsburg State alum Rico Payton was right along with Stalbird as an undrafted defender making the roster and contributing.
As a defensive back with a lot of special teams experience, Beanum is set up to do the same.
“All four, five years I was there, I played special teams,” he said of his time at South Dakota State. “Early on, I was a gunner on punts. I was playing on kickoffs, running down kickoffs. And then being a blocker on kickoff returns. So I’ve been doing it all. And then in my last couple of years I started to become more of a returner in the punt return and kick return game.”
A charismatic and smart player, Beanum has a real chance to impress and stick in New Orleans. The team lost both of its top cornerbacks from last season and while Beanum and his agent know that there are still some good vets to learn from, they also realize that the room is young enough that he can compete. What’s clear is that the corner is ready to hit the ground running.
“I’m excited to get down there,” he told Moscona. “I’m just ready to work. I’m anxious to work.”
