Tag: visits

Spencer Rattler was one of Saints’ 30 pre-draft visits

Spencer Rattler was one of the Saints’ 30 pre-draft visits, but his New Orleans connections run deep. Archie Manning is one of his mentors:

The New Orleans Saints made a surprising pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft by picking South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler at No. 150 overall. But there’s one person who wasn’t surprised: Rattler himself.

Rattler told local media in a conference call that he was one of the Saints’ 30 official pre-draft visits, and that he had a great experience in New Orleans. He struck up a rapport with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and went out to dinner with Saints quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko (at Fleming’s, a popular steakhouse and wine bar in Metairie).

But his New Orleans connections run deep. Rattler said he caught Archie Manning’s eye years ago at the Manning Passing Academy, and that the Saints legend still texts him weekly to check in on him. That’s quite a mentor to have in your corner.

So will Rattler turn into a good pro with the Saints? Maybe, maybe not. His first challenge is going to be pushing Kellen Mond and Nathan Peterman off the roster. If he can do that, then he’ll focus on competing with Jake Haener for the backup job behind Derek Carr. We’ll see if Rattler has it in him.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

LSU prospect Maason Smith met with Saints on pre-draft visit

Could the Saints finally hold that tiger? LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith made a visit to the team facility before the 2024 draft:

Could this be the year the New Orleans Saints make LSU fans happy? The Saints have been linked to several prominent Tigers prospects in the 2024 NFL draft, having hosted wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. at their local pro day while sending a huge contingent of coaches, scouts, and other team personnel to LSU’s pro day workouts.

And we can add LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith to the list of players they’ve met with before the 2024 draft. Smith told The Draft Network’s Justin Melo that the Saints were the first  of many formal visits he’s made in recent weeks: “I started off in New Orleans with the Saints last week. I flew to Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. I also met with the Jets and Giants. I went to Minnesota, Buffalo, Green Bay, and Charlotte. I just got back from Arizona. I have a few more visits coming up later this week.”

Smith is from Houma, La., which is an hour’s drive from New Orleans, so he should count as a local prospect and not factor into the limit of 30 players the Saints can host on official visits. Teams are obviously intrigued by the former five-star high school recruit, but questions have been raised by media analysts centering on his lack of production at LSU. The Tigers were too easily beaten at the point of attack for a unit with such a strong recruiting pedigree.

Smith acknowledged that disparity himself, telling Melo: “I’m going to continue getting better at the next level. I think my potential means I can do whatever I need to do to be whoever I want to be. The sky’s the limit for me. I’m looking forward to reaching that potential. … I want to be an impact player for whichever organization drafts me. I’m excited for my rookie season. I want to set the tone for what’s going to be a successful career.”

Still, Smith finished his LSU career with 944 defensive snaps played in 20 games — with 6.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss, respectable numbers for a defensive tackle on that sample size. But you’d like to have seen more from him. Maybe NFL coaching in a professional environment can get more out of him. Smith’s projections are all over the place but he’s generally expected to  be picked in the third or fourth rounds of this year’s draft. Maybe he ends up staying in Louisiana.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Report: Saints to host Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley on pre-draft visit

Report: New Orleans Saints to host Western Kentucky slot receiver Malachi Corley on official 30 visit before 2024 NFL draft

Malachi Corley is a popular name in the final weeks leading up to the 2024 NFL draft. The Western Kentucky wideout will be making an official 30 visit to meet with the New Orleans Saints in Metairie, per uSTADIUM, which reports that ten different teams are flying Corley in for formal meetings at their headquarters.

Often mischaracterized as “top 30 visits,” these consist of interviews with team brass as well as position coaches and tours of the facility. Teams like the Saints aren’t necessarily targeting the 30 highest-rated players on their board, so much as seeking more information on prospects who they don’t know that well. That could be due to either playing at a smaller program, incomplete athletic testing in combine drills, or simple scheduling conflicts earlier in the process. Draft prospects with medical questions or character concerns are also often brought in for these official visits, which are capped at 30 for each team.

So what’s the deal with Corley? He weighed in at 5-foot-10 and 215 pounds (closer in size to Alvin Kamara than any receivers on the Saints’ roster) and posted good, not great, times in the 40-yard dash (4.49) and short shuttle (4.22). That gave him a tentative Relative Athletic Score of 7.76 which is beneath the Saints’ usual standards, so it’s possible they want him to run the three-cone drill and go through the vertical and broad jumps privately in order to round out his scouting report.

But enough about that: what can he do on the field? Corley was a dynamic slot receiver at Western Kentucky, lining up outside on just 13.5%, 7.7%, and 3.0% of his routes the last three years. He’s impressive after the catch — Corley averaged 8.6 yards after the catch per reception last year, a yard shy of his average (9.7) the year before. He’s scored 29 touchdowns and converted 137 first downs in his Hilltoppers career. He’d be a good fit in Klint Kubiak’s offense as someone who can make a play with the ball in his hands. Corley currently projects as a second-round draft pick.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Report: Saints to host Boston College OL Christian Mahogany on pre-draft visit

Add another name to the list of 30 official pre-draft visits for the Saints. Get to know Boston College guard Christian Mahogany:

Add another name to the list of New Orleans Saints official visits ahead of the 2024 NFL draft. Boston College offensive guard Christian Mahogany is one of the 30 prospects meeting with the Saints at their headquarters in Metairie this spring, per NFL draft analyst Jared Tokarz.

Mahogany has been on our radar for a while — he’s someone we put on our 2024 draft watch list last summer, and who was linked to the Saints in way-too-soon mock drafts before the season started. His college career began at left guard before the Eagles asked him to move to the right side, where he’s started in 2021 and 2023 (Mahogany missed the 2022 season with a knee injury).

Mahogany has done well for himself. He weighed in beneath the Saints’ previously-established standards for a guard at 6-foot-3 and 314 pounds but that’s right in line with the thresholds Klint Kubiak valued in his previous stint as an offensive coordinator, and his impressive movement skills should serve him well as a pro; Mahogany posted a 9.63 Relative Athletic Score which ranked 58 out of 1,523 guards since 1987.

Boston College has been an offensive line factory in recent years with several high draft picks like Zion Johnson (Los Angeles Chargers in 2022) and Chris Lindstrom (Atlanta Falcons in 2019), and Mahogany could be next. He was talked up as the best player on the field at East-West Shrine Bowl practices earlier this offseason. He’s currently projected to be a second- or third-round pick, so Mahogany could be in play when the Saints are on the clock at No. 45.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Saints schedule pre-draft visit with WR Keon Coleman

Report: New Orleans Saints schedule pre-draft visit with Florida State WR Keon Coleman

The New Orleans Saints have scheduled a visit with Keon Coleman, a 2024 NFL draft prospect out of Florida State. NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill first reported the news of this meeting.

Coleman is the type of receiver that would compliment Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. He’s a big-bodied target that would be primed for red zone targets, an area on the outside that the team was missing last season.

The 6-foot-3 Louisiana native had 50 catches for 658 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. He had a disappointing 40-yard-dash at the combine (4.61) that caused some people to drop off of the hype train. For the Saints, however, the time shouldn’t be too scary. It’s not what they need him to do. He excelled in the other athletic areas and even had a nice 10-yard split, he’ll be just fine in the NFL.

Saints schedule Top-30 visit with Western Michigan combine standout

The New Orleans Saints have scheduled a Top-30 draft visit with Marshawn Kneeland, an NFL Scouting Combine standout from Western Michigan:

The New Orleans Saints have scheduled their second Top-30 prospect visit of the 2024 NFL draft, after lining one up previously with Northern Iowa defensive tackle Khristian Boyd. Next up on the docket is Western Michigan defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland, per Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report.

Kneeland was one of the 321 total players invited to this year’s NFL Scouting Combine and was also a participant at the 2024 Senior Bowl. At the combine, Kneeland weighed in at 6-foot-3 and 267 pounds and stood out as an exceptional athlete in pretty much every event. He ranked highly amongst his peers at the defensive end position:

  • 40-yard dash: 4.75 seconds (19th)
  • 10-yard split: 1.66 seconds (tied-18th)
  • Vertical jump: 35.50 inches (8th)
  • Broad jump: 9 feet 11 inches (T-14th)
  • 3-cone drill: 7.02 seconds (1st by 0.28 seconds)
  • 20-yard shuttle: 4.18 seconds (1st)
  • Bench Press: 21 reps (T-8th)

It is worth noting that he has been listed at defensive tackle in other rankings, which would only help his case. In terms of Relative Athletic Score, a measure created by Kent Lee Platte, Kneeland ranked 75th out of 1,620 defensive tackles from 1987 to present day, with a 9.54 out of 10.00.

Kneeland is an extremely disruptive defensive lineman with 37 total pressures, 6 sacks, 38 tackles, and 2 forced fumbles this past season. He also has NFL size for a defensive lineman, a similar frame to Cameron Jordan who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 287 pounds. Kneeland will absolutely be an intriguing prospect in this draft process, and he may see a substantial rise in draft stock due to his combine success.

He also has other Top-30 visits scheduled with the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Carolina Panthers, so it is extremely clear that he is garnering attention in the pre-draft process. He’s currently seen as a second-round draft prospect.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Saints hosting veteran cornerback Avonte Maddox on free agent visit

The New Orleans Saints are hosting veteran cornerback Avonte Maddox on a free agent visit. He could upgrade Alontae Taylor in the slot:

This could be an interesting pickup. NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reports that the New Orleans Saints are hosting cornerback Avonte Maddox on a free agent visit; the Philadelphia Eagles recently released him to save salary cap resources after a string of injuries limited his availability in recent years.

Still, he’s just turning 28 in March, and he’s been one of the game’s better defenders in the slot when healthy. Maddox has logged more than 1,735 snaps in the slot through his six-year NFL career. He’d be a big upgrade over Alontae Taylor in that role.

Taylor struggled last year when he split time in training camp learning a new position while actively competing with Paulson Adebo to start outside. He had never played at the nickel before in either college or the NFL, and no player was targeted more often than him in the slot as teams keyed in on that vulnerability.

It remains to be seen whether Maddox would be starting ahead of Taylor or competing with him for the job, but he’d be a good pickup for the Saints either way. Having a veteran who is so experienced in that role next to him in the film room would be great for Taylor’s development. And because Maddox was released by the Eagles, he will not count into the compensatory picks formula for the 2025 NFL draft, and the Saints don’t need to wait until the start of the new league year on Wednesday to sign him..

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Report: Anthony Barr looking to visit Giants after meeting with Saints

CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports free agent LB Anthony Barr is looking to visit the Giants after meeting with the Saints, hoping to make a decision after weighing his offers:

Anthony Barr left the New Orleans Saints without a contract on Tuesday, and he wants to continue exploring his options before making a decision on where he’ll be playing in 2023. CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports that Barr is scheduling a visit with the New York Giants as another prospective team fit — helped by the presence of Andre Patterson, New York’s current defensive line coach.

He’s a coach Barr knows very well. They were together on the Minnesota Vikings from 2014 to 2021 when Patterson worked with the defensive line as the Vikings’ co-defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Patterson helped draft and develop Barr and that relationship could help New York seal the deal where New Orleans was unable to reach the finish line. On the other hand, it’s just as possible the Giants offer Barr less than the Saints, leading him to circle back. It’s too soon to say one way or another.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Saints hosted South Dakota State TE Tucker Kraft for official pre-draft visit

The Saints hosted South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft for an official pre-draft visit. The Jackrabbits pass-catcher has been very popular:

The Draft Network’s Justin Melo reports that the New Orleans Saints hosted South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft for an official visit ahead of the 2023 NFL draft, making him one of the 30 prospects the team is permitted to fly into town. The Jackrabbits pass-catcher has been very popular: Melo adds that the Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, and Chicago Bears are among the ten teams to have brought Kraft to their facilities for meetings, interviews, and field work.

Kraft is an intriguing prospect. He’s coming out of the same program that sent Dallas Goedert to the Philadelphia Eagles a few years back, having caught 99 receptions for 1,218 yards with 9 touchdown catches in his 32-game college career. He was limited by knee and ankle injuries at times, but he’s an impressive athlete at 6-foot-4, 254 pounds with an 80-inch wingspan. He also earned top marks in testing drills at the NFL Scouting Combine to post a 9.68 Relative Athletic Score. He’s projected to be picked in the second or third round next week.

He wouldn’t take targets away from Juwan Johnson as a rookie, but Kraft is a better athlete than Adam Trautman and could offer more as a blocker right away. He’s plenty strong and aggressive enough, but he needs more work in nailing down his assignments. If the Saints feel he’s the best player available when they’re on the clock, they just might call his name.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[stnvideo key=”8JaC93tFVb-2693366-7618″ type=”float”]

Report: Saints host QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson for visit after UCLA workout

Report: New Orleans Saints host Bruins QB prospect Dorian Thompson-Robinson for a pre-draft visit after meeting him for a workout at UCLA

Well isn’t this interesting. The New Orleans Saints are hosting UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson at their team facility on the last day that visits are allowed before the 2023 NFL draft, per The Score’s Jordan Schultz. This follows a private workout the Saints held with Thompson-Robinson at UCLA’s campus last week. So he’s clearly hot on their radar.

The Saints could use a long-term backup to Derek Carr (Jameis Winston is only under contract through 2023), so picking a quarterback like Thompson-Robinson on the third day of the draft to develop would make a lot of sense. And he brings a lot to the table. Thompson-Robinson was highly regarded for his leadership traits with the Bruins, but more important is how effective he was throwing the football. He’s accurate and on-point at every level of the field.

He’s also athletic enough to make plays with his legs, but don’t expect him to be a Taysom Hill heir-apparent. Thompson-Robinson weighs in at just 6-foot-1 and 203 pounds, and though he only missed two games to injury in his 50-game college career moving him around the formation like Hill would expose him to punishment his frame may not be able to handle. The UCLA prospect is currently projected to be picked somewhere between rounds four and six.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[stnvideo key=”mVJCR86ESm-2664952-7618″ type=”float”]