Former Texas defensive lineman Malcolm Roach provided one of the more heartwarming and inspirational stories in regards to the NFL’s deadline for a 53-man roster.
After not being selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, Roach chose to sign with the New Orleans Saints as a rookie free agent. The Baton Rouge native was blessed with the opportunity to return to his home state and continue chasing his dreams with the very same team that he grew up admiring.
“All my life I’ve dreamed about playing for the Saints,” Roach told Horns247 shortly after the draft concluded. “The way the draft went, it didn’t work out in my favor, but I feel like God has a bigger plan for me. I’m thankful for everything that’s happened, and I’m ready to go out there and prove to people what I can do. I’m ready to go in and make an impact with the Saints and try my hardest to make the roster there.”
He stayed true to his word and that dream suddenly became a reality on Saturday. Roach survived cutdown day across the league, where NFL teams are required to trim their rosters from 80 players down to 53. He is now officially listed on the Saints’ initial 53-man roster.
It’s certainly not easy to make it in the league as an undrafted free agent, but Roach proved that hard work and resiliency can lead the way to a successful professional career regardless of where, or if, you are drafted.
Roach didn’t get the benefit of a minicamp or the typical offseason of preseason games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He had a laser-like focus and mentality to take advantage of every position meeting and every snap during limited practices to showcase his abilities.
As is with most undrafted free agents, Roach was on the bubble of making the initial 53-man roster for the Saints. It’s hard enough to make the roster as a rookie that was drafted, so Roach was understandably considered a darkhorse candidate.
Roach is currently listed on the Saints depth chart as a backup defensive tackle behind Sheldon Rankins and David Onyemata. At Texas, he spent time at both defensive end and linebacker while appearing in 47 career games with 23 starts. He recorded 40 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, one pass breakup and one blocked kick as a senior.