After declaring for the 2019 NFL draft, former Texas wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent. All you need is a chance, right?
It hasn’t been an easy experience in the NFL for Humphrey. He was waived and re-signed three times, while being place on the injured reserve list a total of five times — each of these by the Saints.
In his two years in the NFL, Humphrey made appearances in a total of eight games, where he recorded three receptions for 46 yards and one touchdown. This was quite the opposite volume of stats in comparison to the numbers he put up in Austin. Throughout his collegiate career, he totaled 125 catches for 1,622 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The big-bodied receiver was never the fastest, which could be part of the reason NFL teams were turned off by him, but this preseason was seemingly the year that Humphrey finally broke through.
ESPN’s Mike Triplett reported that Humphrey made the 53-man roster with the Saints to the start the season, which marks the first time in his young professional career that he is doing so.
Saints initial 53-man roster:
QB: Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, Ian Book
RB: Alvin Kamara, Latavius Murray, Tony Jones Jr., Dwayne Washington
WR: Marquez Callaway, Tre’Quan Smith, Ty Montgomery, Deonte Harris, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, (Michael Thomas on PUP)
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) August 31, 2021
Humphrey showed up in a big way during the Saints’ two preseason games, catching seven passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns.
He has an opportunity to solidify a role for himself in a receiver group that is missing Michael Thomas due to injury, and is full of players who have not been consistent contributors in the NFL yet. Marquez Callaway has 21 career catches, Tre’Quan Smith has 80, Ty Montgomery has spent most of his career as a running back, and Deonte Harris had 26 career catches. There very well could be a more prominent role for the former Longhorn this season in New Orleans.
If Humphrey can keep creating separation, and continue coming down with spectacular jump ball catches, he will fit in perfectly with quarterback Jameis Winston, who is known for taking risks at the quarterback position.