The New Orleans Saints have officially released their 55-man roster for this weekend's rookie minicamp, giving fans their first real glimpse at the next generation of talent heading to the Big Easy. With a mix of 2026 NFL Draft picks, undrafted free agents, returning players, and tryout hopefuls, there's plenty of storylines to follow as the team kicks off two days of practice.
First, a quick reminder: this is rookie minicamp, not the full-team sessions that will feature veterans like Tyler Shough, Chase Young, and Chris Olave. Those established names are already putting in work at the facility, but the practice field belongs exclusively to the newcomers this weekend. The full squad will come together in just a few weeks.
All eight of the Saints' draft picks are expected to be in attendance, though one name to watch is whether rookie Styles has recovered enough from February labrum surgery to participate. Everyone else on the draft list should be ready to go full speed.
On the undrafted free agent front, all ten players the Saints have announced deals with are signed and on the roster. However, there's one notable absence: defensive lineman Zxavian Harris. Despite multiple reports indicating he would sign with New Orleans, Harris has not yet inked a contract and is not expected to take part in minicamp. It's possible he's still recovering from foot surgery in March, but the delay in announcing a deal has raised some eyebrows.
There's also a handful of returning players who spent last season on the practice squad or, in the case of Alford, in the CFL. Because they didn't accrue a full season under the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, they're eligible to participate in rookie minicamp while remaining under contract. This is a golden opportunity for them to show the coaching staff they deserve a longer look.
Among the tryout players, there are a few new faces worth noting, including Cincinnati running back Tawee, who joins a group eager to earn a spot on the roster. With so much talent and potential on display, this weekend's minicamp promises to be an exciting first step toward building the Saints' future.