New Orleans Saints rookie minicamp is on tap, so who exactly are the undrafted free agents who will be running the show?
On the latest episode of the Audacy original podcast Inside Black & Gold, Saints sideline reporter Jeff Nowak breaks down the offensive UDFAs in a first of two episodes diving into each of the 16 players the Saints brought in after the draft. Who could stand out at OL, WR, RB and TE?
Scroll below for a breakdown of each of the 8 offensive players the Saints brought in after the draft. ... Looking for Part 2 (defense & specialists)? Click here.
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SEGMENT 1: Saints UDFA Breakdown, OL: 3 Guard/Center Prospects Could Stand Out (click here to listen)
We kick off the first half of our ‘Meet the UDFAs’ series with the least glamorous, but arguably most important position. That’s the offensive line, where the Saints have added three guard/center prospects who will compete at a position where there’s a clear starting job to be won, and very few legitimate options to win it. Could one of these three be that guy?
SINCERE HAYNESWORTH, G/C, Tulane
- Measurables: 6-1, 310 pounds
- Fast facts: 5.21 40-yard dash, 4.59 shuttle ... played primarily guard at Tulane ... appeared in 26 games over his final 2 college seasons, logging 1,688 snaps ... native of Pearland, Texas ... name is a product of his mother wanting her son to live a "sincere" lifestyle, so she gave him the name to match.
NOUREDIN NOUILI, G/C Nebraska
- Measurables: 6-4, 315 pounds
- Fast facts: 5.18 40-yard dash time, 31" vertical leap ... started career at Colorado State and appeared in 7 games as a true freshman before walking on at Nebraska in 2020. ... Nouili did not appear in a game in 2020 or 2022, the second absence due to suspension ... started 11 games in final season, 10 at right guard and 1 at left guard. ... Says two of his strengths are his personality and that he is a blank slate, having started football later, he's still a bit raw but doesn't have many bad habits to correct. Clear upside potential.
KYLE HERGEL, G/C, Boston College
- Measurables: 6-2, 310 pounds
- Fast facts: Athletic and strong (30 reps on 225 bench press) ... played at guard throughout his college career, with 44 starts at right guard, then 11 starts at left guard during his lone season at BC. ... Has cross-trained at center and can play the position, which is what he did exclusively at the East-West Shrine Bowl. ... Saints assistant OL coach Jahri Evans was one of the coaches at the East-West game, but for the opposite roster. ... Hergel is another international success story in this group, a native of Toronto, Canada, he began his career at North Dakota State, then went to Texas State for finishing his career off at BC. Each transfer was intended to showcase his talents against a higher level of competition. ... Was the No. 3 pick in the CFL draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, but says he's currently 100% committed to his NFL opportunity. ... OL coach at BC (Matt Applebaum) was the OL coach for Mike McDaniel's staff with the Dolphins in 2022, which has helped him be familiarized with the wide zone blocking principles that new Saints OC Klint Kubiak will bring.
Listen to a full, exclusive interview with UDFA Kyle Hergel in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
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SEGMENT 2 (17:33): Saints UDFA Breakdown, WR: Speed, Speed and Whole Lot of Touchdowns (click here to listen)
The New Orleans Saints brought in three wide receiver prospects, each one with their own unique skillset. One is from a place you’ve never heard of but caught more touchdowns than you can believe. Another is from a place you’ve definitely heard of but would never guess they’d put out an NFL wide receiver. The third is a return ace with a familiar build, but do the Saints really need another one? Let’s dive in.
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KYLE SHEETS, WR, Slippery Rock
- Measurables: 6-4, 220 pounds
- Fast facts: Not a burner (5.42 in the 40), but does work well downfield. ... Credits basketball with his ability to go up and high point balls, which he did with regularity and in the end zone. ... Highly prolific pass-catcher for Slippery Rock, bringing in 76 catches for 1,186 yards and 17 touchdowns over his final 14 games. ... Should be a plus blocker, but to this point there has been no momentum toward a potential shift to TE.
JERMAINE JACKSON, WR, Idaho
- Measurables: 5-7, 170 pounds
- Fast facts: Has drawn comparisons to former Saints return ace Deonte Harty, but would personally compare his game more to DeMarcus Robinson, another return specialist who has been in the NFL since 2015. ... Began career at San Mateo Community College. ... 2 punt return TDs in final season at Idaho. ... First Saints prospect out of Idaho since the team drafted Kaden Elliss in 2018. ... 48 catches for 539 yards as redshirt senior. Plays the ball well downfield, but upside is limited due to his frame.
MASON TIPTON, WR, Yale
- Measurables: 5-11, 187 pounds
- Fast facts: Elite sprinter speed (4.33 in the 40) and works well downfield, but you don't always see the speed on tape. ... Came up playing baseball and credits his centerfielder skills with his above average ability to track balls in flight. ... High points passes well and showed an ability to make contested catches. ... 52 catches, 786 yards, 10 TDs in final season at Yale (most in Ivy League). ... Native of Akron, Ohio (and yes, he's a big LeBron fan).
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SEGMENT 3 (35:11): Saints UDFA Breakdown, RB & TE: Could a Louisiana Back Stick This Time? (click here to listen)
Closing out the first of two ‘Meet the UDFA’ episodes, Jeff Nowak dives in on UL running back Jacob Kibodi and why he might just have a legit shot to make the roster, even if he isn’t the most hyped name. Speaking of hype, have you heard about TE Dallin Holker? Of course you have, because everyone is convinced he’s the next great tight end. But does he really have a chance?
JACOB KIBODI, RB, Louisiana
- Measurables: 6-1, 218
- Fast facts: Began career at Texas A&M, then transferred to Incarnate Word before finishing out at UL. Highly productive final season with 729 yards and 7 TDs on 129 carries ... native of Baton Rouge, grew up a Saints fan. ... Good size for the position, has been comped to another UL grad in Eli Mitchell. ... Came up as a wide receiver and prides himself on route-running ability from the RB position. ... Says his biggest area in need of improvement is pass protection.
DALLIN HOLKER, TE, Colorado State
- Measurables: 6-4, 235 pounds
- Fast facts: he owns one of the best nicknames you'll see anywhere: The Incredible Holker. ... spent 3 seasons at BYU before transferring to Colorado State. ... Was voted team captain during that one season. ... Highly productive in final college season with 767 yards and 6 TDs on 64 catches (catch total the third-highest in Colorado State history). ... Back-to-back 100-yard games in final college season, a feat no Saints TE has achieved since Coby Fleener in 2016. ... Credits basketball for his footwork, high-point ability and hands. ... A popular signing due to his many highlights, which include Hail Mary grabs, one-handed TD catches and a nifty combine performance where he caught two balls in the same drill. ... Speaks fluent spanish.
This is the first of two episodes in our "Meet the UDFAs" series. Check back later in the week for a breakdown on the seven defensive players and one special teamer that joined the Saints after the 2024 draft.
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