The New Orleans Saints have officially kicked off rookie minicamp, and the familiar scent of football is finally back in the rain-soaked air of the Big Easy. With a fresh season of hope on the horizon, there's a palpable buzz around the team—and for good reason. The Saints made some serious moves this offseason to upgrade the roster, but there are still plenty of roles up for grabs. The front office also did a stellar job of bringing in talent through the undrafted free agent (UDFA) market, and a few of these hidden gems could end up making the final cut.
Let's start with the headliner of this UDFA class: Zxavian Harris. He was once a top-150 prospect projected as high as the third round, but off-the-field concerns caused him to slide out of the draft entirely. Given his rare combination of size, talent, and athleticism, calling him a "dark horse" almost feels unfair. If he's truly got his off-the-field issues under control, you might as well write his name on the depth chart in permanent marker.
Next up is running back CJ Donaldson. After starting his college career at West Virginia and finishing at Ohio State, Donaldson brings a powerful résumé to the Saints' backfield. He racked up 40 rushing touchdowns in college while averaging over 4.5 yards per carry. Last season alone, he punched in 10 touchdowns on just 96 carries and added 15 receptions, averaging 6.4 yards per catch with another score. At 6'1" and 230 pounds, Donaldson is a true power runner who could serve as a bruising change-of-pace option behind Travis Etienne and Alvin Kamara. With injuries to Kendre Miller and Devin Neal creating opportunities, a strong showing in minicamp could open the door for Donaldson to carve out a real role.
Another name to watch is offensive tackle Alan Herron. He's not your typical prospect—Herron didn't start playing football until his junior year of high school and didn't earn his first start until his senior season. Despite the late start, his raw athleticism and rapid development have caught the coaching staff's eye. In a league where developmental tackles are always in demand, Herron's upside makes him a sneaky candidate to stick on the roster if he can impress during camp.
As the Saints build toward a new season, these under-the-radar UDFAs could provide the depth and spark every championship-caliber team needs. Keep an eye on these names—they just might surprise you.