Undrafted rookie tight end Dallin Holker has ability to make a mark with Saints

Dallin Holker, an undrafted tight end prospect, recently signed with the New Orleans Saints following the 2024 NFL Draft.

The product of Lehi, Utah, spent 2018-2022 at BYU, ultimately transferring to Colorado State in 2023. His 10 contested catches this past season were the highest among all tight ends in the draft class. He was a highly coveted undrafted player, signing for $235,000 in guaranteed money. It’s the highest among Saints undrafted rookies, and Holker also received a $10,000 signing bonus.

With a little money already in hand, the 6’2″, 241-pounder is ready to go to work.

“I’m excited to be here,” Holker declared ahead of Saints rookie minicamp this weekend. “It’s a great place. I love the coaches.”

Holker had other options in the league but was intrigued by what the organization offered him.

“It looks like a fun offense to be in,” he continued. “It looks like a perfect fit. The Saints looked to be a good fit for me.”

Holker is the current favorite to make the biggest splash on the 2024 roster among undrafted rookies. In fact, he may even be expected to be a contributor this season as a first-year player.

The 24-year old’s time at Brigham Young was interrupted by a two-year Mormon mission (2019-2020) in Vina del Mar, Chile. He did manage to record 42 catches for 521 yards and three scores while with the Cougars. He missed much of the 2022 campaign nursing an ankle injury.

In his lone season at Colorado State, Holker earned 1st team All-Mountain West and was one of three finalists for the prestigious John Mackey Award. Holker’s stats exceeded his Mackey award rivals, first round pick Brock Bowers of Georgie and Cade Stover of Ohio State. He managed 64 grabs for 767 yards and six touchdowns.

“Every year I have grown as a player,” Holker analyzed. “(Colorado State) saw the ability that I had in me. We had some great game plans. There was a great opportunity there.”

Holker reached Fort Collins via the transfer portal in January 2023 and quickly impressed his teammates enough to be voted as team captain in August. “I loved my teammates. I was grateful to be out there leading the team. It meant a lot to me.”

In 2023, he had an 11-catch outing for 112 yards against Middle Tennessee, followed by a game against Boise State where he snared seven passes for 85 yards including a 33-yard Hail Mary touchdown catch as the clock expired to give the Rams a stunning, come-from-behind 31-30 win.

On the national stage September 16, Holker and Colorado State battled against Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes. The ESPN GameDay crew was on hand. The Rams went in as a 23.5-point underdog, and 53,141 fans were packed into Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado.

The Buffaloes prevailed 43-35 in double overtimes, but it was a dogfight in which Holker stepped up in a major way. In only his second game at CSU, he accounted for 109 yards receiving on six catches with a pair of toucdhowns of 30 and 35 yards. The latter gave Colorado State a 28-17 lead with 11:22 remaining in the third quarter. It was his coming-out party.

“Everyone has asked me about that game,” he laughed heartily. “It was a fun atmosphere to play in. Those are the games that you dream about and want to play in, to be on the big stage. Some people shy away from it. Some rise to the occasion.”

When you step up in marquee games, a career boost follows.

“I’m thankful for that opportunity. When you’re in a moment like that, you’re locked in. You have to step back to appreciate what happened. The Colorado game opened a lot of eyes. I got to show what I can do. Anytime I get, I want to show what I can do. I do wish we would have won the game.”

Holker demonstrated his skills under the watchful eye of Colorado State Quarterback coach/assistant head coach Matt Mumme in an Air Raid attack. Matt’s father Hal founded the high-powered offense and ran it at Kentucky (1997-2000) and Southeastern Louisiana (2003-2004). It affords the tight end numerous opportunities to be involved in the offense.

“I’m a versatile tight end,” Holker explained. “I can be on the line, in the backfield, or spread out. My strength is all the things I can do. It’s tough on the defense to game plan.”

One of Holker’s new Saints’ teammates, Taysom Hill, was a role model to him growing up. The NFL’s best Swiss Army Knife was an undrafted hopeful with the Green Bay Packers. Following a brief stay in Green Bay training camp, he was released and wound up on the Saints 2017 roster as an unproven commodity.

“Going to BYU, growing up in Utah, everyone knows who Taysom Hill is. He is a great player. I’m excited (to be his teammate).”

Similar to Hill, Holker will have to prove himself early to secure his spot in the league. He was projected to be drafted in the later rounds but may have done better for himself by being undrafted. He’ll also use that rejection as motivation.

“I was a little surprised. I prayed. If it’s God’s will for me to be drafted, if not then help me get in the perfect fit for me. I truly feel like that’s what happened. I just want to compete,” Holker detailed.

The Saints’ organization has capitalized on undrafted tight ends in the past with success stories like Boo Williams (2001-2003), Josh Hill (2013-2020) and Juwan Johnson (2020-present).

Dallin has enjoyed a successful basketball career growing up and in high school. As a senior at Lehi High School, he helped the Pioneers capture the state title in 2018. Holker was recognized as the 16th best hoopster by in the state at the time by 247 Sports. He feels there is a direct correlation between his basketball success and what he has accomplished on the gridiron.

“I love basketball. My dad played basketball in college, my brother played basketball in college. I was always more of a football guy. The footwork, everything is so similar. It all translates. Basketball helped me a ton.”

Holker possesses an enormous catching radius and shows good separation in routes. Off the field, his robust personality will likely win over Who Dat nation.

With his diverse skill set, it would not be surprising to see new Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak try to utilize those traits similarly to the way his former employer, the 49ers, have used 8-time Pro Bowl fullback Kyle Juszcyk. The two are comparable in size. During his 11-year NFL career, Juszcyk has displayed outstanding skills as a blocker while also catching 262 passes for 2,464 yards and 16 touchdowns.

“It is something that I can see and appreciate his style.” Holker said with a broad smile. “It is something I can do.”