Saints UDFA tracker: Here's who landed with New Orleans after 2026 draft

The Saints made eight selections and have made a whopping 17 picks over the last two seasons, which means the roster spots are more limited than usual as they were their way to a full 90-man contingent ahead of rookie minicamp and OTAs. We'll expect to see in the range of 10 names, which will trickle in over the course of the next several hours.

Scroll below for those names and quick analysis for each player.

ALAN HERRON, OT, Maryland

Notes: Herron is a 6-6, 320-pound offensive tackle from Westmoreland, Jamaica who played his high school ball in Atlanta. He played two seasons at D-II Shorter University before transferring to Maryland for his final two seasons. At Shorter Herron started all 22 games split between both tackle spots. He also started all 24 games at right tackle for Maryland, playing 760 offensive snaps in 2025 while being credited with just 3 sacks allowed. He earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors in 2025 and was a two-time game captain. Not important, but he's said his favorite pregame meal is fruit snacks paired with a peanut butter & jelly sandwich. I had to know that, so now you do, too.

Outlook: The Saints have entrenched starters at both right and left tackle, but there are depth roles to be won in 2026.

CODY HARDY, TE, NC State

Notes: Hardy is a 6-4, 268-pound tight end from Monroe, North Carolina. He played four seasons at Elon before transferring to NC State for his final season in 2025. At Elon he appeared in 31 games with 16 starts, recording 10 receptions for 63 yards and one touchdown. He started 10 games as a junior in 2024. In his lone season at NC State he played in 12 games, recording six receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns, along with one rush for four yards and one rushing touchdown. He logged 292 offensive snaps. Hardy is one of six siblings, including four sisters and a brother, Timothy, who was drafted by the Yankees in the 2017 MLB Draft.

Outlook: This is a tough season to be a TE hoping to crack the Saints roster, with Juwan Johnson, Noah Fant and rookie Oscar Delp all expected to hold significant roles. Winning a practice squad spot would feel like a major achievement.

ALEX WOLLSCHLAEGER, OT, Kentucky

Notes: Wollschlaeger is a massive, 6-7, 310-pound OT from Aurora, Illinois. He had a decorated 5-year career at Bowling Green State before transferring to Kentucky for his final season in 2025. At BGSU he started 39 games, primarily at right tackle, and earned two All-MAC honors (First Team in 2024, Third Team in 2023). He was also a team captain and logged more than 2,300 career snaps. In his lone season at Kentucky he started all 12 games at right tackle while being credit for just 1.5 sacks allowed.

Outlook: The Saints have entrenched starters at both right and left tackle, but there are depth roles to be won in 2026.

MICHAEL HELDMAN, EDGE, Central Michigan

Notes: Heldman is a 6-4, 260-pound edge rusher from Romeo, Michigan. He spent all five seasons at Central Michigan, redshirting as a true freshman in 2021. He appeared in 53 games with 42 starts, recording 120 tackles (64 solo), 34.5 tackles for loss, 19.0 sacks, five pass breakups, four forced fumbles, and a school-record 29 QB hurries. He started 25 consecutive games to close his career. In 2025 he started all 13 games and posted 48 tackles (24 solo), a team-high 16.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, four pass breakups, nine quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles. He earned First Team All-MAC honors.

Outlook: We'll have to wait and see how things shape up at the edge rusher spot. Tyree Wilson is an intriguing addition, but does it rule out Cam Jordan coming back for one last hoorah? There's likely a rotational spot to be won alongside Chase Young, Carl Granderson and Chris Rumph, but a practice squad spot feels like a safer bet.

JEREMIAH McLENDON, CB, Southern Illinois

Notes: McClendon is a 6-0, 185-pound cornerback from Delray Beach, Florida. He began his career at Marshall, played at Charleston Southern (2022), redshirted at FIU (2023) and transferred to Southern Illinois for his final two seasons.At Southern Illinois he appeared in 19 games with 12 starts (eight in 2025 and four in 2024). In 2025 he recorded 60 tackles (41 solo), 1 sack, two interceptions and 11 pass breakups. He earned first-team All-Missouri Valley honors. He's the youngest of 14 siblings.

Outlook: The Saints didn't do much to address the defensive secondary this offseason, at least not yet. That means there are spots to be won.

KEESHAWN SILVER, DT, USC

Notes: Silver is a 6-4, 330-pound defensive tackle from Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He began his career at North Carolina (2021-22) before transferring to Kentucky (2023-24) and then to USC for his final season in 2025. At UNC he appeared in six games with four tackles. At Kentucky he played in 24 games with 23 starts, totaling 43 tackles (including 26 tackles, 1 sack, and one TFL in 12 starts during 2024). In his lone season at USC he played in 13 games with 20 tackles (10 solo), 1 sack while seeing regular rotational snaps on the interior. Silver finished his college career with roughly 67 games played, 23 starts, and 67 tackles across five seasons.

Outlook: There are a lot of bodies on the interior these days for the Saints, particularly with rookie Christen Miller added to the mix and Vernon Broughton returning from injury. This will be a battle for the practice squad.

DASHAWN JONES, CB, Alabama

Notes: Jones is a 6-0, 190-pound cornerback from Baltimore, Maryland. He began his career at Wake Forest (2021-23) before transferring to Alabama for his final two seasons. At Wake Forest he appeared in 35 games with 21 starts, recording 61 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 7 pass breakups. At Alabama he played in all 26 games with 8 starts, posting 43 tackles. He added four pass breakups and one forced fumble. Jones finished his college career with 61 games played, 29 starts, 104 tackles, four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), and 11 pass breakups.

Outlook: The Saints didn't do much to address the defensive secondary this offseason, at least not yet. That means there are spots to be won.

MASON SHIPLEY, K, Texas

Notes: Shipley is a 6-0, 187-pound kicker from Liberty Hill, Texas. He began his career at Oklahoma State (2020-21) before transferring to Texas State (2022-24) and then to Texas for his final collegiate season. At Texas State he went 31-for-35 on field goals (88.6%) with a long of 60 yards (a program and Sun Belt record in 2024). In 2023 he was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist after going 15-for-15 on field goals and scoring 103 points. In 2024 he hit 15-of-19 field goals for 98 points. In his lone season at Texas he connected on 20-of-24 field goals (83.3%) with a long of 53 yards while going 48-for-48 on extra points. He comes from a kicking family with twin brother Matthew (who kicked at Hawai‘i and Arkansas) and older brother Michael (West Texas A&M).

Outlook: The Saints kicking job is Charlie Smyth's to lose, but it could be lost if he gets off to the type of ugly start we saw last year. It'll be on Shipley to be rock-steady and force the Saints to at least have some awkward conversations.

CJ DONALDSON, RB, Ohio State

Notes: CJ Donaldson is a 6-2, 232-pound running back from Miami, Florida. He began his career at West Virginia (2022-24) before transferring to Ohio State for his final collegiate season. At West Virginia he emerged as a workhorse back after starting out as a tight end recruit, rushing for over 2,000 yards and scoring 30 rushing touchdowns across three seasons. In his lone season at Ohio State he carried the ball 96 times for 361 yards and a team-leading 10 touchdowns while adding 15 catches for 96 yards and another score.

Outlook: The Saints didn't add any RB depth in the draft. We'll still have to wait to see the plan for Alvin Kamara, but this will be a VERY competitive position group in camp. Hard to see much of a path to the roster.

JAY'VIAR SUGGS, DT, Wisconsin

Notes: Jay'viar Suggs is a 6-3, 299-pound defensive lineman from Flint, Michigan. He began his career at Grand Valley State (2019-2023) before transferring to LSU (2024) and then to Wisconsin for his final collegiate season. At Grand Valley State he logged 42 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 8 sacks over two seasons while helping the Lakers reach back-to-back NCAA Division II quarterfinals. In his year at LSU he appeared in 12 games as part of the defensive line rotation, posting 10 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. With the Badgers in 2025 he played in all 12 games with 11 starts, logging 10 tackles including a sack and a pass deflection while seeing significant snaps up front.

Outlook: We'll have to wait and see how things shape up at the edge rusher spot. Tyree Wilson is an intriguing addition, but does it rule out Cam Jordan coming back for one last hoorah? There's likely a rotational spot to be won alongside Chase Young, Carl Granderson and Chris Rumph, but a practice squad spot feels like a safer bet.