Tag: jalen mccleskey

Saints re-sign WR Jalen McCleskey to reserve/future contract

Saints re-sign WR Jalen McCleskey to reserve/future contract, try out several CFL free agents:

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A familiar name is getting another shot with the New Orleans Saints. The team reported a reserve/future contract with free agent wide receiver Jalen McCleskey on Tuesday’s update to the daily NFL transactions wire, meaning he’ll count towards their 90-man roster for 2022 after Super Bowl XLVI in a few weeks just like the small crowd of practice squad players the team retained once their 2021 season ended.

McCleskey signed with the Saints last summer following rookie minicamps and made a quick impression in training camp with his rare speed. He put his 4.3-second time in the 40-yard dash to good use in college at Oklahoma State and Tulane, but a hamstring injury sidelined him for much of the 2021 season. Despite trying out for the Saints in November, he’s remained a free agent waiting for his next opportunity.

Now he’s joining the depth chart for 2022 along with Michael Thomas, Marquez Callaway, Easop Winston Jr., Kevin White, and 2021 draft pick Kawaan Baker. Saints free agents at wide receiver include Deonte Harty and Lil’Jordan Humphrey (both restricted), as well as Tre’Quan Smith, Ty Montgomery, and Kenny Stills (all unrestricted). Expect more additions in the months ahead.

The team has been busy evaluating free agents from the CFL like tight end Nikola Kalinic and offensive linemen Drew Desjarlais and Jordan Murray, as well as former North Carolina Central basketball forward-turned-tight end Jibri Blount. They’re all eligible to sign reserve/future contracts for 2022, though none of have been inked just yet.

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Jalen McCleskey among multiple free agent receivers at Saints tryouts

The Saints tried out several free agent wide receivers, a kicker, and QB Clayton Thorson, a former Eagles draft pick, on Tuesday:

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It’s pretty obvious that the New Orleans Saints need improvement at wide receiver and place kicker, so it’s good to see them show some initiative in addressing those concerns. They brought in five free agents for tryouts on Tuesday — an off day for rostered players, when coaches and personnel scouts have time to evaluate them — and some might be more familiar than others. Here is who auditioned on Tuesday, Nov. 16:

Saints host training camp WR Jalen McCleskey for free agent tryout

Saints host training camp WR Jalen McCleskey for free agent tryout

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There’s a familiar face: NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill first reported Tuesday that the Saints are hosting wide receiver Jalen McCleskey for a free agent tryout. McCleskey joined the team for training camp this offseason and left a good impression, but a hamstring injury landed him on injured reserve back on Aug. 12. He was released with an injury settlement on Aug. 21, but now he’s healed up and ready to give it another go.

Hopefully he’s still showing the athleticism that enticed the Saints in the first place. He’s a good comparison for Deonte Harris as a lightweight speedster at 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds with a 4.28-second time in the 40-yard dash, and his smooth, gliding running style stood out in training camp.

But Harris could be suspended for three games after his offseason DUI case was closed last week, whenever the NFL gets around to it. And of the six different receivers to run even a single route for the Saints over the last three weeks, only Harris and Tre’Quan Smith have recorded 100 or more receiving yards during that span. They could use all the help they can get.

Here is what the depth chart currently looks like at wide receiver:

  • Tre’Quan Smith
  • Marquez Callaway
  • Deonte Harris
  • Kenny Stills
  • Ty Montgomery
  • Kevin White
  • Easop Winston Jr. (practice squad)
  • Kawaan Baker (practice squad)

We’ll know if any other players tried out alongside McCleskey, or if anyone was signed after the workout, once the daily NFL transactions wire updates at 3 p.m. CT/4 p.m. ET. Stay tuned for updates. If the Saints do end up signing a new receiver the most likely move would be adding them to the practice squad and elevating them for two games before signing them to the active roster, which was the plan for both Stills and White.

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Saints claim ex-Giants DL R.J. McIntosh, send WR Jalen McCleskey to injured reserve

Saints claim ex-Giants DL R.J. McIntosh off of waivers, send WR Jalen McCleskey to injured reserve

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The New Orleans Saints filed a couple of roster moves on Thursday’s update to the daily NFL transactions wire, bringing in former New York Giants fifth round pick R.J. McIntosh off of waivers while designated wide receiver Jalen McCleskey to the injured reserve list.

ESPN’s Field Yates first reported that the Saints claimed McIntosh from the waiver wire. The Miami product has an interesting athletic profile at 6-foot-4 and 293 pounds, but with limited movement skills. His NFL career began on the non-football injury list due to a thyroid condition, and he was a healthy scratch last year for Big Blue. He’s bagged 18 tackles (plus two sacks and a couple of pressures) in exactly 18 games played.

As for McCleskey: NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reports that the speedster is likely to receive an injury settlement after injuring his hamstring. The issue isn’t believed to be a long-term problem but it should still sideline him to start the season. Once he signs that settlement buyout, he’ll have an opportunity to try out for other teams or hope to land on New Orleans’ practice squad.

Losing McCleskey before the first preseason game is a major disappointment. He moved well in training camp practice and was the only receiver who could match Deonte Harris stride for stride deep downfield. Without him, look for players like Easop Winston Jr. to step into that role. Hopefully the Tulane grad can return sometime in the near future.

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Interview: Jalen McCleskey has the speed to stand out in crowded Saints WR corps

Interview: Tulane product Jalen McCleskey has the speed to separate from the pack at wide receiver in Saints training camp.

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The New Orleans Saints receiving corps could be without both Michael Thomas and Deonte Harris to start the 2021 season, between Thomas’ ankle surgery in June and Harris’ arrest on a DUI charge that usually comes with a two-game suspension. It’ll take a team effort to replace Thomas, but there’s one player in particular who could add the extra gear Harris has put to good use: Jalen McCleskey, who timed a 4.28-second 40-yard dash at his virtual pro day in 2020.

I got to interview McCleskey on Saints Wire’s behalf back in April after he signed with New Orleans following a tryout. With an opportunity for McCleskey to take on a larger role in training camp, especially in the return game, it’s a good time for fans to get to know him better.

This is not the first time I have interviewed the Tulane product and each time I walk away knowing I just spoke with a promising player, a fierce competitor, and an even better human. Saints fans, he will be one to watch in training camp.

Here is our exclusive interview with Saints wide receiver Jalen McCleskey:

Kade Kistner: What was your experience like from spending time at the Atlanta Falcons training camp last season and what did you learn from it?

Jalen McCleskey: It was a really good experience. Just getting [to] experience the NFL game, how practice is, how the players are in practice, things like that. Being in the same room as Julio [Jones] was a really big thing, because he did a great job teaching and giving advice. Whenever you have someone like that giving you advice, it’s really good to listen. So, just listening to him, taking everything in, I felt like it was a really good experience.

KK: What do you hope to experience playing in New Orleans again after having spent that season at Tulane University?

JM: Just that I’m ready to play football again. I’ve been working out this whole time just trying to stay ready for whatever opportunity I get. So, just being able to finally go play football, go back to practice, go to meetings, that kind of stuff. It’s gonna be fun!

KK: Speaking of working out, how was your workout at the Saints facility for Tulane’s pro day, and do you think that helped you land on the Saints’ radar?

JM: Yeah, I think so. Just being able to have my pro day in general, because I didn’t get to have mine last year, so nobody really knew my numbers. I did a virtual type of video. But, I don’t know how serious they took that stuff. So, finally being able to get to have a pro day in front of the scouts, I felt like that was a really big deal.

KK: Yeah, I remember your 40-yard dash in your virtual pro day video last it. It was pretty … fast.

JM: Oh yeah.

KK: What have the Saints told you about your expected role in terms of playing slot, special teams coverage, returning?

JM: I think I’ll be more of a slot receiver, but I haven’t really gotten a chance to talk through all of that. They’ve been going through the draft process and the draft meetings, so they’ve been really busy with that. I haven’t really gotten to talk about what my role is, but I’m pretty sure it’s to be a slot receiver.

KK: So, some fun questions. Which of your new teammates do you think you could beat in a race?

JM: Shoot, I feel like I can beat anyone in a race.

KK: Well, that answers my next question of ‘who do you NOT want to race?’

JM: Nah, I’ll race anybody, anywhere.

KK: Finally, what’s your favorite restaurant in New Orleans?

JM: I have to say, I’ve been going to Drago’s a lot.

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Saints add another Tulane product, bring in OL Christian Montano

The Saints brought in another Tulane product in offensive lineman Christian Montano, a center who spent time with the Steelers in 2020.

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The Saints have picked up two former Tulane players in as many weeks, bringing in former Green Wave center Christian Montano, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Montano was a college teammate of slot receiver Jalen McCleskey; both players weren’t picked during the 2020 NFL draft after turning pro, but recently participated in front of league scouts during Tulane’s 2021 pro day. That workout was conducted at the Saints team facility, so Montano must have made a strong impression. He’ll be returning for training camp later this summer.

Like McCleskey, Montano did spend the 2020 offseason with another team — he competed for a backup job with the Steelers last year, though his bid was ultimately unsuccessful. He offers some potential to New Orleans as a 6-foot-4, 300 pounder with plenty of collegiate starting experience behind him. Before moving to Tulane as a graduate transfer in 2019, Montano was a two-time All-Ivy League selection at Brown.

So how does he fit into the depth chart? The Saints interior line has just one sure starting job locked down, with Andrus Peat entrenched at left guard. Standout center Erik McCoy is expected to compete with Cesar Ruiz, last year’s first round pick, at both his natural position in the middle as well as right guard as New Orleans seeks to maximize both players’ skills. Look for Montano to push reserves Derrick Kelly and Calvin Throckmorton for a spot on the depth chart, though two of last year’s backups remain unsigned: Nick Easton and Will Clapp.

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Saints agree to terms with former Tulane WR Jalen McCleskey

The Saints reached an agreement with former Tulane and Oklahoma State WR Jalen McCleskey, who spent 2020 training camp with the Falcons.

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The New Orleans Saints added a new face to their roster on Thursday: wide receiver Jalen McCleskey, as announced by his representatives at National Sports Agency. The terms of McCleskey’s agreement with New Orleans were not immediately available.

McCleskey’s arrival follows a workout at Tulane’s recent NFL pro day, which was hosted at the Saints’ facility; the COVID-19 pandemic cut the 2020 pro day circuit short, so this was an opportunity for him to show scouts and coaches what he can do. He wasn’t picked during the last NFL draft, though he did join the Falcons for training camp.

He profiles as more of a slot receiver at 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, and said last year that he models his game off of pros like Cole Beasley and Julian Edelman. But his 4.28-second time in the 40 yard dash suggests he has better wheels than either of them, which is backed up by the 15.7 yards per reception he averaged in 2019 with Tulane. Before he transferred to team up with the Green Wave (where his father, a former Saints player himself, coaches defensive backs), though, McCleskey was one of the Big 12’s more effective slot receivers at Oklahoma State.

He’ll help round out the Saints receiving corps as they continue to stock up the 90-man offseason roster, but don’t expect this addition to stop New Orleans from considering high-end receivers in this year’s NFL draft. McCleskey adds competition to a thin spot on the depth chart as a high-upside athlete with an eagerness to chip in on special teams. It’s just one more step on the path to training camp later this summer.

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