Saints undrafted rookies who may earn their keep

Undrafted unknowns always made some sort of splash in NFL training camps.

The New Orleans Saints have a half dozen such players who, in some cases, have subtlety garnered interest already. A final spot on the 53-man roster could be within their grasps or at least an opportunity to land on the practice squad.

Here are a few players deserving extra attention this preseason.

WR Kirk Merritt (6-0, 208)

The Destrehan native easily has been one of the most pleasant surprises so far in camp. Added to the roster in the offseason after one year with the Dolphins, Merritt has displayed his 4.33 speed, 45.5″ vertical and overall athleticism. Like former Saints hybrid Ty Montgomery, Merritt may also be able to play both the receiver and running back spots.

Despite the impressive depth of the wide receiver position, Merritt looks to have potentially carved out a chance to land on the opening roster.

This exhibition season will play a major role for him like so many others. Saints head coach Dennis Allen has stated that practice reps are important but game time is more significant. The staff already knows what Michael Thomas, Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry can do. Merritt needs to show he brings more than other vets like Marquez Callaway and Tre’Quan Smith.

Merritt could become the 33rd New Orleans native to suit up for the Black and Gold.

TE Lucas Krull (6-6, 260)

The undrafted free agent has had an interesting path to the Crescent City. He was a 34th round pick by the San Francisco Giants in the 2018 MLB draft. When Krull turned his sole focus to football, He began his college football journey at Florida for two seasons before spending the final two at Pittsburgh.

Very physical, he shows a competitive side. Sometimes a bit too finesse in his blocking, the build for more physical play is there. With 4.64 speed, he is an improved route runner who may be a late bloomer.

Adam Trautman, Nick Vannett, Taysom Hill and Juwan Johnson occupy spots atop the tight end depth chart but Krull has done enough to warrant attention from the coaches. He has demonstrated sufficient athleticism. His in line blocking has been decent and he has caught just about every ball thrown at him.

Making the final 53 may be a bit lofty so the practice squad is more reasonable.

WR Dai’Jean Dixon (6-4, 200)

The all-time leading receiver at Nicholls State with 236 career catches for 3,802 yards and 35 touchdowns has talent beyond a small school label.

The former Edna Karr product has represented himself very well and seems to make strides each practice although he has been facing the proverbial learning curve after arriving as an undrafted free agent. With an ideal size and length, Dixon has the prerequisites to play in the NFL. He is still a work in progress with his route running but he reminds me a great deal of another former undrafted free agent, Marquez Callaway, who arrived in 2020 and has collected 67 passes for 911 yards and eight scores in 28 NFL games.

Dixon appears to pluck the ball out of the air with ease and has a great deal of confidence in his game. Currently, his most likely spot is on the team’s practice squad but with three exhibition contests ahead, anything can happen. He is trying to impress 32 NFL teams, not just the one on which he plays currently.

OL Lewis Kidd (6-6, 311)

The undrafted free agent out of Montana State was All-Big Sky and an FCS All-American.

Playing at right tackle in camp behind Ryan Ramczyk and Landon Young, Kidd brings more versatility 41 starts in college at guard. You can witness his technique during drills plus he has the required size, length and strength.

Very athletic with a high football IQ, Kidd models his game after Dallas Cowboys legend Larry Allen.

Unlikely to be a starter, Kidd seems to be following the path of another Saints undrafted free agent success story. Calvin Throckmorton arrived in the 2020 class and proved his worth as a versatile backup. Kidd’s versatility could factor into the final roster decisions. Trained off the field as a substitute teacher, he hopes to be a valuable NFL substitute lineman.

WR Rashid Shaheed (6-0, 183)

Undrafted out of Weber State, this guy can really fly. Unless you’ve been watching the sidelines during camp, you would not be aware of him. He has been working his way to full strength after a past injury. It’s possible he may not get on the field for the exhibition season but still be secured as part of the Saints’ future plans.

Shaheed has all the markings of a hidden gem. The San Diego native received a $15,000 signing bonus and $207,000 base salary for 2022. That tells you a lot, even if he ends up stashed on injured reserve.

A special talent as a return specialist, Shaheed set a career FCS record with seven kickoff returns. During his 53 games with Weber State, he compiled 5,478 all purpose yards. He also ran the 60, 100 and 200 meters for the track team. As a wideout, Shaheed collected 147 passes for 2,178 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Perhaps the most eye popping facts from his college days are the four time All Conference and All American selections. Deonte Harty was a UDFA small conference find cut from a similar cloth so the Saints are looking to strike gold in a similar way here.

RB Abram Smith (5-11, 221)

For an undrafted player, the running back out of Baylor has had some lofty expectations since he arrived last spring with a hefty $222,000 guarantee from the Saints. He set a Baylor single season record with 1,621 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns last season, rusing for 100 yards or more in nine games.

Versatility helps longer shots make NFL rosters, and Smith does have that. He played linebacker as a junior and averaged 11 tackles per game in four starts. He only carried the ball five times during that span so he doesn’t have a lot of tread on his tires.

The Saints’ long history of uncovering undrafted runners has been impressive. Smith is a power runner who looks like a sure bet to make the opening day roster thanks to his talent from scrimmage and ability to play all core special teams. The uncertain future of Alvin Kamara and questions about the durability of 12-year veteran Mark Ingram mean opportunites on offense may come this season for the team’s third back.