The New Orleans Saints made a splash after the 2026 NFL Draft, signing nearly a dozen undrafted free agents to bolster their roster. But which of these rookie hopefuls had the highest pre-draft rankings? Let's break down the standout prospects and what they bring to the table.
According to NFL draft analyst Thor Nystrom and the consensus big board from Arif Hasan of Wide Left, the Saints landed two major prizes: defensive linemen Zxavian Harris from Ole Miss and Michael Heldman from Central Michigan. Harris was the top-ranked undrafted free agent on Nystrom's board, sitting at No. 100 overall in the draft class, while Heldman checked in at No. 141. On Hasan's consensus board, Harris ranked No. 155 and Heldman at No. 289. Harris likely would have been drafted if not for a March foot surgery and two arrests during his college career, making him a high-risk, high-reward addition. Heldman, meanwhile, had an unremarkable college career before a breakout 2025 season with 16.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks, making him a late bloomer worth watching.
The gap between these two and the rest of the Saints' undrafted class is significant. Only five other prospects made Nystrom's rankings, and none cracked the top 300 on the consensus board. That includes players like cornerback Miles Herron, who ranked fifth in the group but received an eye-catching $272,500 in guaranteed money from New Orleans—the most the Saints have given any undrafted free agent in years. This suggests Herron had a competitive market, hinting at hidden potential or a strong fit for the team's defensive scheme.
As contract details trickle in, we'll get a clearer picture of how the Saints valued these undrafted talents. For now, Harris, Heldman, and Herron stand out as rookies with a real shot at making the 53-man roster come September. Whether they become diamonds in the rough or just training camp stories, this UDFA class is one to track for Saints fans.