player of the day – Page 2 – Syndication Server

Super Bowl XLIV champion Scott Fujita is the Saints Player of Day 54

There isn’t an active player using the No. 54 jersey, so Super Bowl XLIV champion Scott Fujita is the New Orleans Saints Player of Day 54:

We’re counting down the days until the New Orleans Saints’ regular season opener by highlighting a Player of the Day every day, but there isn’t an active player using the No. 54 jersey. And there aren’t many notable players in team history who have worn it — no Pro Bowlers or All-Pros, and the member of the Saints’ Super Bowl XLIV-winning team who used it, Troy Evans, was a backup.

So we’re cheating a little and going with an old fan-favorite. Scott Fujita (who wore No. 55) is our pick for the New Orleans Saints Player of Day 54.

Fujita played college football at California, and he grew up six hours’ drive down the West Coast in Ventura, near Los Angeles. The Kansas City Chiefs picked him in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL draft and it didn’t take long for him to win a starting job. He spent the 2005 season with the Dallas Cowboys and the experience of working against him in practice every day convinced Sean Payton (the Cowboys’ offensive play caller at the time) to sign him as a free agent the next spring.

And that’s when Fujita’s career really took off. He was a key piece of the changing locker room culture that Payton installed in New Orleans, starting 54 of the 56 games he appeared in over the next four years — plus three playoff games in 2009, including Super Bowl XLIV. Fujita was an impressive tag-team partner for Jonathan Vilma at the second level of the Saints defense, and he quickly endeared himself to Saints fans.

He spent the last three years of his playing career with the Cleveland Browns, but Fujita retired a Saint — and he did so memorably, perched on top of a mountain in South America back in 2013. He’s remained close with his old teammate Steve Gleason over the years and helped Gleason hike the Andes to visit the famous ruins of Machu Picchu, where he formally signed his one-day retirement contract with the Saints and shared an emotional speech to his supporters.

Few players have done the black and gold prouder. Fujita left his mark on New Orleans and the Saints, and it’s a great thing that his time with the team was as meaningful for him as it was for those cheering him on.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Countdown to Kickoff: Isaiah Foskey is the Saints Player of Day 55

Isaiah Foskey is the New Orleans Saints Player of Day 55. What does a successful Year 2 look like for the former second-round pick?

We’ve got 55 days to go until the New Orleans Saints’ regular season kicks off, which makes the current No. 55 our Saints Player of the Day: Isaiah Foskey. What does a successful Year 2 look like for the former second-round draft pick? Let’s break it down.

Name (Age): Isaiah Foskey (23)
Position: Defensive end
Height, weight: 6-foot-5, 270 pounds

Relative Athletic Score: 9.61

2024 salary cap hit: $1,985,164
College: Arkansas State
Drafted: 2nd round in 2023 (New Orleans Saints)
NFL experience: 2 years

Foskey may have fit the same athletic profile as past Saints draft picks like Marcus Davenport and Payton Turner, but he was seen as a very different prospect coming out of college. He won Notre Dame’s school sacks record (26.5) and was considered to be a very polished pass rusher compared to guys from smaller programs who didn’t have as much experience or success at lower levels of competition.

Still, his rookie year was frustrating. Foskey was buried on the depth chart behind other players and totaled just 84 defensive snaps while missing time with an injury. He didn’t collect a single sack. Obviously he has a lot of room to grow in Year 2.

Both Foskey and Saints head coach Dennis Allen have spoken about how he was too much in his own head last season — thinking too hard and not trusting his instincts, letting plays move past him while still trying to analyze it. More experience and a different approach could do a lot to help him meet his potential. He had some good moments during OTAs and minicamp practices, so building on that over the summer when the Saints regroup for training camp will be key. If Foskey can just be a productive part of the rotation after Tanoh Kpassagnon’s injury, this season will be an improvement over what we saw last year. Chasing greater heights and earning reps ahead of guys like Payton Turner would make it a real success.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Countdown to Kickoff: Nouri Nouili is the Saints Player of Day 63

Countdown to Kickoff: Nouri Nouili is the New Orleans Saints Player of Day 63. How can the rookie guard make an impact an in 2024?

We’re down to 63 days until the New Orleans Saints kick off their 2024 regular season with the Carolina Panthers, which makes rookie offensive lineman Nouri Nouili, the current owner of the No. 63 jersey, our Saints Player of the Day.

But what’s his story? And how can he help the team in 2024? What are realistic expectations for him? Let’s dig in.

Name (Age): Nouri Nouili (23)
Position: Offensive guard
Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 315 pounds

Relative Athletic Score: 8.58

2024 salary cap hit: $796,666
College: Nebraska
Drafted: Undrafted in 2024 (New Orleans Saints)
NFL experience: Rookie

A foreign exchange student from Frankfurt, Germany, Nouili played on both the offensive and defensive lines in high school before continuing his education at the next level. Nouili’s college career began at Colorado State before he transferred to Nebraska, where he started two years at both guard spots. He logged almost twice as many snaps on the left side (919) as the right (514) while also seeing limited action outside at tackle.

He was rock-solid in pass protection — Pro Football Focus charting found that Nouili allowed just four sacks on 776 career snaps in pass pro. He also drew only six penalties on nearly 1,500 career reps as a blocker. The question is whether he’ll be able to adapt to the zone-heavy scheme Klint Kubiak is installing on running plays. Nebraska used zone on 36.9% of their rushing attempts last season.

With the top of the depth chart nearly set, Nouili must stand apart from other young players who have taken a similar path to the NFL as undrafted free agents; guys like Mark Evans II (who spent most of last season on the practice squad) as well as Sincere Haynesworth and Kyle Hergel.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Countdown to Kickoff: Mark Evans II is the Saints Player of Day 68

Countdown to Kickoff: Mark Evans II is the New Orleans Saints Player of Day 68. He needs to take a big step forward in his second season.

There are 68 days left until the New Orleans Saints start their 2024 regular season, which means the current owner of the No. 68 jersey is our Saints Player of the Day. That’s Mark Evans II, a second-year pro from Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The young offensive lineman must take a big step forward in Year 2 if he’s going to avoid being lost in the shuffle. Let’s get to know him better:

Name (Age): Mark Evans II (24)
Position: Offensive tackle/guard
Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 295 pounds

Relative Athletic Score: 3.62

2024 salary cap hit: $795,000
College: Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Drafted: Undrafted in 2023 (New Orleans Saints)
NFL experience: 1 year

Evans received more guarantees in his rookie contract last year ($241,000) than any other undrafted free agent in the Saints’ 2023 or 2024 classes, including this year’s much-hyped tight end Dallin Holker ($235,000). He was asked to move inside after playing left tackle in college and tried out at both guard spots during the 2023 preseason, logging 31 snaps at right guard and 54 on the left side.

While he was waived during final roster cuts at the end of August, the Saints did initially re-sign Evans to their practice squad, only to waive him again on Sept. 4. He tried out for the Houston Texans on Sept. 12 and returned to New Orleans on Sept. 27. He was never called up from the practice squad for a regular season game, and it remains to be seen how the new offensive coaching staff feels about him. He didn’t participate in team drills at OTAs or minicamp while rehabbing an undisclosed injury.

So he needs to show a lot to make the cut this season. Whether he’s staying at guard or returning to tackle, Evans must do a better job protecting his quarterback and reaching his marks on the run. There’s room on the depth chart for another young backup but he’ll need to prove he’s a better option for that role than someone like Josiah Ezirim (this year’s seventh-round pick), Nouri Nouili or Kyle Hergel (both undrafted rookies). As is the case for many linemen, we won’t have a great idea about his improvement until padded practices begin during training camp.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Countdown to Kickoff: Kyler Baugh is the Saints Player of Day 69

Countdown to Kickoff: Kyler Baugh is the New Orleans Saints Player of Day 69. The undrafted rookie has a tough road ahead, but he wouldn’t be the first to beat expectations

We’ve got 69 days to go until the New Orleans Saints open up their 2024 regular season, which makes the current owner of the No. 69 jersey our Saints Player of the Day. That’s rookie defensive lineman Kyler Baugh, so let’s get to know him better before diving into realistic goals for him in 2024:

Name (Age): Kyler Baugh (22)
Position: Defensive tackle
Height, weight: 6-foot-2, 305 pounds

Relative Athletic Score: 8.56

2024 salary cap hit: $798,333
College: Minnesota
Drafted: Undrafted in 2024 (New Orleans Saints)
NFL experience: Rookie

The Saints signed Baugh as an undrafted free agent out of Minnesota, guaranteeing just $25,000 in his rookie contract. For perspective, former Colorado tight end Dallin Holker led the team with $235,000 in guarantees. Baugh was a solid starter at Minnesota the last two years (where he was teammates with safety Jordan Howden, who the Saints drafted last year) but he’s facing a tough road to making the cut in New Orleans. He mainly ran with the second- and third-team defenses at spring practices. Linemen won’t be highlighted until full-contact practices in pads kick off at training camp later this summer.

So how can he make the team? The Saints lost Malcolm Roach in free agency and didn’t make a great effort at replacing him, signing former Las Vegas Raiders backup Kendal Vickers while drafting Khristian Boyd in the sixth round out of Northern Iowa. Jack Heflin is also in the mix after returning from the Saints’ 2023 practice squad. Baugh must prove he’s a better option to round out the Saints’ four-man rotation than any of those guys.

If he can hold up well in run defense while making the most of his opportunities on passing downs, Baugh could make a compelling case for a roster spot. The Saints have a great track record in recruiting and developing undrafted defensive tackles like Roach (2020), Shy Tuttle and Devaroe Lawrence (2019). Maybe Baugh can follow in their footsteps.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Countdown to Kickoff: Jesper Horsted is the Saints Player of Day 79

There isn’t a No. 79 on the Saints right now, but Jesper Horsted just signed and chose his jersey number. He’s our Saints Player of the Day as we count down to kickoff:

We’re counting down the days until the New Orleans Saints kick off their 2024 regular season with the Carolina Panthers, and while normally we’d be highlighting the player of the day in the corresponding jersey number (or a fan-favorite from the past who used it, when one isn’t available), we’re doing things a little different today.

Tight end Jesper Horsted has chosen to wear the No. 88 jersey with the Saints, and because he signed so recently he’s our pick; no one had taken it when we reached Day 88 in our countdown, and he had yet to sign with the team. Coincidentally, there also isn’t currently a No. 79 on the roster. We’ll take this opportunity to highlight Horsted, so let’s get to know him a little better.

Name (Age): Jesper Horsted (27)
Position: Tight end
Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 237 pounds
Relative Athletic Score: 4.70
2024 salary cap hit: $985,000
College: Princeton
Drafted: Undrafted in 2019 (Chicago Bears)
NFL experience: 5 years

Horsted’s connection to the Saints runs through tight ends coach Clancy Barrone — who held the same position in Chicago when the Bears signed him as a rookie free agent. He’s primarily played special teams in the NFL (527 career snaps, including a career-high 216 last year with the Las Vegas Raiders) and that might be his path to making the team.

But the Saints signed Horsted after a foot injury sidelined Juwan Johnson for much of the summer. Like Johnson, he’s known as more of a pass-catching tight end than a blocker, so expect him to pick up the slack in receiving drills once training camp begins in late July. Guys like Michael Jacobson and Dallin Holker are ahead of him on the depth chart, but this is also an opportunity for Foster Moreau and Tommy Hudson to show the coaching staff they have hands, too.

Ultimately it’s on Horsted to prove he can handle a range of assignments and win the job as their third tight end behind Johnson and Moreau when roster cuts are decided at the end of August. He may have joined the team as a temporary fill-in because of an injury to another player, but that doesn’t have to define his time on the team. Let’s see how he chooses to write his story.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Countdown to Kickoff: Juwan Johnson is the Saints Player of Day 83

Juwan Johnson’s focus right now should be recovering from offseason foot surgery, but what are his big-picture goals in 2024? He’s our Saints Player of Day 83:

Juwan Johnson’s focus right now should be recovering from offseason foot surgery, but what are his big-picture goals in 2024? We’re counting down the days until the New Orleans Saints kick off their 2024 season against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 8, and with 83 days left to go he’s our Saints Player of the Day.

Here’s a quick look at Johnson’s status with the Saints, and what he should be looking to achieve in 2024:

Name (Age): Juwan Johnson (27)
Position: Tight end
Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 231 pounds
Relative Athletic Score: 7.79
2024 salary cap hit: $7 million
College: Oregon
Drafted: Undrafted in 2020 (New Orleans Saints)
NFL experience: 5 seasons

Johnson is in the final year of his contract, and he’s one of several big names the Saints will have to choose whether to re-sign in 2025 — along with guys like Rashid Shaheed, Paulson Adebo, Pete Werner, and maybe Chase Young and Payton Turner, plus Alvin Kamara if he and the Saints don’t reach an agreement on an extension this summer.

It’s tough to see the Saints reupping him next spring if Johnson’s performance last year is any indication. He regressed from his 2022 breakout with lower numbers in every category: fewer games played (13, down from 16), fewer catches and yards (37 for 368, from 42 for 508), fewer touchdowns scored (4, from 7) and first downs converted (23, from 25), and a lower catch rate (62.7%, from 64.6%).

Injuries were a problem for Johnson early on — he tweaked his calf muscle warming up for Week 4’s kickoff with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and missed four games, and clearly wasn’t himself once he return — but so was effort. Head coach Dennis Allen challenged Johnson personally to step up and make the most of his opportunities at midseason, and he responded well. Johnson finished his season with 17 catches for 216 yards, scoring three touchdowns in the Saints’ last four games.

Johnson was very productive once he was healthy, motivated, and locked in he established a strong connection with Derek Carr. It’s unfortunate that he’s back where he started while dealing with an injury that’s going to sideline him for much of the offseason, though the Saints hope he’ll able to suit up in Week 1. Johnson must prove he’s a different player than who the Saints saw last season. If he’s going to earn another lucrative extension, with New Orleans or someone else, he’ll need to bounce back from a down year and make a lot of plays in Klint Kubiak’s offense..

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Countdown to Kickoff: Mason Tipton is the Saints Player of Day 84

Countdown to Kickoff: Rookie wide receiver Mason Tipton is the New Orleans Saints Player of Day 84. What must he do to make the team?

With now 84 days left until the New Orleans Saints’ regular season opener against the Carolina Panthers, we continue our countdown of players with the corresponding jersey number. Today’s player is undrafted free agent wide receiver Mason Tipton.

The history behind No. 84 brings some notable names to mind especially at the wide receiver position. The most glorified Saint to ever where the number is none other than LSU’s product Eric Martin, who is currently second in team history in career receptions and yards. Other notable players to wear this number are wide receiver Kenny Stills and wide receiver/returner Michael Lewis.

With Tipton being today’s player, let’s take a deep dive into his background and what he can potentially bring to the team.

Name (Age): Mason Tipton (23)
Position: Wide receiver
Height, weight: 5-foot-11, 191 pounds
Relative Athletic Score: 8.03
2024 salary cap hit: $798,333
College: Yale
Drafted: Undrafted in 2024 (New Orleans Saints)
NFL experience: Rookie

Tipton went to Archbishop Hoban High School in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. In football, Tipton won three state titles. During his senior year, he was named to both the first team all-league and the first team all-region. Tipton would play four football seasons during his five years at Yale (2020 saw no action due to COVID). Over his career, Tipton ranked third in school history with 19 touchdowns received, fifth with 132 receptions, and sixth with 2,067 yards. In addition, he was chosen for All-Ivy three times.

Tipton is a long shot to make the roster at the receiver position with the top four spots already secured for this season. His best bet is to find a way in a special teams role, an interesting spot would be as a returner. Tipton ran a 4.33 40 yard dash at his pro day which indicates he does have the electrifying speed that one would want at that position. He does have some competition though probably even more so than he would have in the past with the new kickoff rule. Guys like Rashid Shaheed, Taysom Hill, Cedric Wilson Jr., Jermaine Jackson are all players that could potentially find themselves in this role. Tipton would have to make some hay during training camp and even more so in the preseason to claw his way into a spot on this team.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Countdown to Kickoff: Dallin Holker is the Saints Player of Day 85

Dallin Holker is the New Orleans Saints Player of Day 85 as we count down to kickoff. The rookie tight end has a big opportunity in front of him:

It’s always exciting to see an undrafted rookie drawing attention in the spring, and Dallin Holker has earned it. The former Colorado State tight end signed with the New Orleans Saints after the 2024 draft and has already begun making plays at spring practices.

But what are reasonable expectations for him in his rookie year? We’ll seek to answer that while highlighting Holker as our Saints Player of the Day while counting down to kickoff with the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, which is 85 days away. So let’s get to know Holker a little better:

Name (Age): Dallin Holker (24)
Position: Tight end
Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 241 pounds
Relative Athletic Score: 7.36
2024 salary cap hit: $798,333
College: Colorado State
Drafted: Undrafted in 2024 (New Orleans Saints)
NFL experience: Rookie

The Saints have experienced a lot of injuries at tight end this spring. Juwan Johnson is set to undergo foot surgery that will sideline him until the start of the regular season. Veteran backups Michael Jacobson and Tommy Hudson both missed time at minicamp after getting banged up. So Holker has been a big beneficiary of the extra practice reps to go around.

Now, that doesn’t mean he’s a lock to make the roster. Saints head coach Dennis Allen said the staff wants to know where Holker is as a blocker, characterizing the missing gap in their evaluations as coming from “a physicality standpoint” after minicamp. But between the positive early returns in passing drills, Holker’s obvious movement skills, and what’s been invested in him (his $235,000 in guarantees were more than two of their draft picks) it’s tough to see him not making the 53-man roster.

As for what Holker can achieve this season? If he does make the team he’ll be playing behind Johnson and Foster Moreau. But Jimmy Graham showed last year that the team’s third tight end can still make plays. It’s unfair to expect Holker to make such an outsized impact as Graham, who either converted a first down or scored a touchdown on all six of his receptions, but Holker should get some opportunities to make plays. Getting bumped up the depth chart over the summer with Johnson on the mend will only help speed up his development.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Countdown to Kickoff: Foster Moreau is the Saints Player of Day 87

We’re continuing our kickoff to the regular season with Foster Moreau. The veteran tight end is the Saints Player of Day 87:

The 2024-2025 NFL season is getting closer and closer, with only 87 days left until the New Orleans Saints kickoff against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1. As we count down the days until that first matchup, we look at the corresponding jersey number to the remaining days, which today is tight end Foster Moreau.

The number 87 is not foreign to Saints fans either, with wide receiver Joe Horn wearing it back in the early 2000s, as well as tight end Larry Hardy in the late ’70s and early ’80s.

With that said, let’s take a look at Foster Moreau’s background up to this point, as well as what we should or can expect from him this upcoming season.

Name (Age): Foster Moreau (27)
Position: Tight end
Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 250 pounds
Relative Athletic Score: 9.45
2024 salary cap hit: $4,367,059
College: LSU
Drafted: Round 4, Pick 137 (Oakland Raiders)
NFL experience: 5 seasons

The tight end spot on the roster is an intriguing one for the Saints, as Juwan Johnson has suffered an injury that could hold him out through to Week 1, and Jimmy Graham as of this moment is not on the team anymore. This leaves a ton of snaps to be grabbed between Moreau, Taysom Hill, Tommy Hudson, Dallin Holker, and Michael Jacobson.

Moreau was primarily used as a blocker by Pete Carmichael last season for some reason, despite being a reception-heavy player. He had a career high 342 run blocking snaps last season, and only 160 routes run (less than half the total he ran the prior two seasons). Ultimately, his chance to break out could come now, with a wide-open tight end room and room to grow under a new offensive coordinator who prioritizes tight ends in his scheme. Klint Kubiak could be a difference maker for Moreau, and this could be a return to form for the former Raiders tight end.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]