The New Orleans Saints continued to add defensive pieces to their roster early in Round 4, landing Oklahoma LB Danny Stutsman.
The Saints picked the former Sooner at No. 112 overall, marking three straight defensive picks along with Texas DT Vernon Broughton II (71), and Virginia S Jonas Sanker (93).
There was only one workout for Stutsman throughout the process and it was with the Saints. Linebackers coach Peter Sirmon went out for the visit in Norman. He had no official visits, and New Era opted not to send him the draft hats package. Instead he went to Lids and bought the 11 on the rack, knowing he had a pretty good chance to have the right one. He plans to return the other 10.
"Obviously there’s a lot that goes into the process but you’ve kind of just got to make the most of the opportunities that you’re presented with," Stutsman said, "and I think I capitalized on that.”
Hear WWL's exclusive interview with Danny Stutsman in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
Stutsman played in 12 games as a freshman in 2021, logging 38 tackles, one sack, and two forced fumbles despite missing three games due to a dislocated elbow. He led the Big 12 with 125 tackles in 2022, along with 10.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and two interceptions. In 2023, he earned Second-Team All-American honors with 104 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and an interception returned for a touchdown. His senior year in 2024 saw him record 109 tackles, earning consensus All-American honors and finishing with 376 career tackles, ninth all-time at Oklahoma.
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Stutsman, a native of Florida, comes from an athletic family. His father, Steve, played football, and his mother, Susy, played basketball at Baylor, while his sister, Sabrina, played softball at Florida State. Steve Stutsman was a teammate of Saints assistant GM and scouting director Jeff Ireland in Waco.
A piece to deploy at inside linebacker and on special teams, Stutsman joins a linebacker room led by veteran Demario Davis and Pete Werner, who is in the first year of a 3-year, $22.5 million contract extension.
The Saints spent their first two picks on Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr. (9) and Louisville QB Tyler Shough (40). New Orleans has four picks remaining, including No. 131 overall, a pick acquired from the Commanders in the trade of Marshon Lattimore.