Latest news with #SaintsPlayeroftheDay
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Countdown to Kickoff: Fadil Diggs is the Saints Player of Day 40
Diggs has the attributes the New Orleans defense needs on the edge The New Orleans Saints will kick off their 2025 regular season just 40 days from today. They'll do it at home against the Arizona Cardinals under new head coach Kellen Moore. Wearing No. 40 for the Saints at the moment is rookie edge rusher Fadil Diggs. Our Saints Player of the Day, here's a closer look at Diggs as he tries to become the 18th player to wear No. 40 during the regular season in team history. An offensive and defensive standout at Woodrow Wilson High School in New Jersey, Diggs was the Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year as a senior. The Texas A&M Aggies won the battle for the four-star recruit. However, Diggs saw little playing time in 2020 or 2021. He'd work his way into more reps in 2022, managing 3 sacks and 5 tackles for loss. He'd increase that production with 11 stops for loss and 4 sacks in 2023, but would transfer to Syracuse at year's conclusion. Diggs blossomed for the Orange, leading Syracuse with 7.5 sacks, 14 stops for loss, and 3 forced fumbles. The Saints finally grabbed Diggs off the NFL draft board at pick No. 254, just three selections before the end of the draft. Despite his late draft status, Diggs could grab a legitimate role in the New Orleans defense. New defensive coordinator Brandon Staley is expected to employ more 3-4 concepts, meaning the Saints will need more athletic rushers along the edge. New Orleans got only 17 combined sacks and 27 tackles for loss from their edge rushers/defensive ends last season. Carl Granderson and Chase Young return as the probable stand-up rushers for Staley, but there is no proven skill behind them for depth. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 257 pounds, speed off the edge is a Diggs strength. Diggs will compete against undrafted rookie Jasheen Davis, Jonah Williams, and disappointing 2023 Round 2 draft pick Isaiah Foskey for reps at the position. If he can improve his instincts against the run and expand his pass rush moves to create consistent pressure, Fadil Diggs could be a late draft steal for a Saints defense desperately seeking a young and disruptive force.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Saints Countdown to Kickoff: Seth Green is the Saints Player of Day 42
Green must work through a crowded tight end position for a roster spot There is now a 42-day wait until the New Orleans Saints start their 2025 regular season and 59th year in the NFL. They'll do so at home against the Arizona Cardinals but with a new head coach in Kellen Moore. Wearing No. 42 for the Saints entering training camp is Seth Green, a newly-signed player from the UFL and our Saints Player of the Day. Seth Green began his collegiate career in his home state with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Listed as a tight end now, he actually played more fullback at Minnesota. Between 2018 and 2020, Green had 114 rushes for 388 yards and 15 touchdowns with just 6 receptions and 83 yards. Green transferred to Houston in 2021, where he spent most of the year as a tight end. With the Cougars, Green caught 13 balls for 157 yards and 3 scores. Additionally, Green also completed 6 of 7 pass attempts for 57 yards with 3 touchdowns and an interception through his collegiate career. Undrafted in 2022, Green was signed by the Houston Texans. He'd catch 4 passes for 40 yards during preseason action, but ultimately did not make the active roster and spent some time on the practice squad. Green was brought into 2023 training camp by the Dallas Cowboys. Once again, he'd miss making the active roster. However, Green was added by the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League in the spring of 2024. He's spent the last two years in the UFL with the Renegades. Over that span of 20 games, Green had 24 receptions for 236 yards and 2 touchdowns. Seth Green gets another chance at the NFL with New Orleans. The Saints have a crowded tight end room, with nine players listed at the position entering training camp. However, New Orleans does not have a true fullback on the roster. Green's versatility and background of tight end and blocking back could make him a dark horse for a surprise roster spot.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Countdown to Kickoff: Isaiah Stalbird is the Saints Player of Day 44
Stalbird brings versatility to the New Orleans defense There are 44 days until the New Orleans Saints open their 2025 season. Head coach Kellen Moore enters his first year with New Orleans, as his team hosts the Arizona Cardinals to begin their 59th NFL campaign. Wearing No. 44 for the Saints is linebacker Isaiah Stalbird, entering his second year with New Orleans. Stalbird is our Saints Player of the Day, so here's a closer look at his background. Despite being an all-state selection at Kearney High School in Nebraska, Stalbird was forced to walk on for the in-state Cornhuskers. After redshirting in 2018, he became a special teams standout for Nebraska in 2019. He'd transfer to FCS South Dakota State following that season. The Jackrabbits reached the FCS National Championship Game during the 2020-21 campaign, with Stalbird being one of their defensive stars. A safety during his first three collegiate seasons, Stalbird would switch to linebacker in 2021. He responded to the change by forcing 2 fumbles and being second on the team in tackles. His standout play continued for the next two years, as Stalbird was a key factor in the Jackrabbits winning the FCS National Championship in 2022, then him earning All-Missouri Valley Football Conference accolades during his final year in 2023. Stalbird finished his South Dakota State career with 18 passes broken up and 238 tackles, including 19 for loss. Despite the production, he was not selected in the 2024 NFL draft. Instead, New Orleans signed him to an undrafted deal. Stalbird elected to stay with the Saints despite being selected in the USFL draft by the Michigan Panthers. While he didn't make the active roster for New Orleans initially, he was kept on the practice squad. Stalbird would appear in five games with the Saints as a rookie. He wouldn't see any defensive snaps but did exhibit strong play on special teams. Isaiah Stalbird will be in the middle of fierce competition for roster spots with the Saints during training camp. He's projected to remain at linebacker, where he's undersized but possesses outstanding open field agility. Stalbird also brings the abilities of being a collegiate safety. This gives him some scheme versatility, especially in pass coverage packages.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Countdown to Kickoff: Nephi Sewell is the Saints Player of Day 45
Sewell could be a dark horse to contribute in Brandon Staley's defense The New Orleans Saints have a 45-day wait until the 2025 regular season opener against the Arizona Cardinals. New coach Kellen Moore will lead the hopeful improvement from last year's 5-12 record. One of the team's returning players is linebacker Nephi Sewell, who currently wears No. 45 for the team. He is our Saints Player of the Day. The Sewells have a strong professional football bloodline, with Nephi's brothers Penei and Noah currently in the NFL. His uncle, Kingsley Suamataia is also in the league, with former NFL players Isaac Sopoaga and Richard Brown also uncles. An American Samoan, Nephi had a standout high school career at Desert Hills despite suffering a broken neck as a junior. He initially attended the University of Nevada as a safety in 2017, rolling up 111 total tackles and 2 interceptions in two years with the Wolf Pack. Sewell would transfer to Utah in 2019, where he converted from safety to linebacker. He played only three contests in 2019, with Covid limiting the Utes to five outings in 2020. Sewell worked his way into Utah's starting lineup in 2021, finishing second on the team in tackles on his way to All-Pac-12 recognition. Undrafted in 2022, Sewell was signed by the Saints. He spent most of his rookie year on the practice squad, but did appear in four games on special teams. The following year, Sewell played in 16 of 17 games. Again, most of his reps were on special teams, but he did see some light defensive action. An injury forced Sewell to begin 2024 on the Physically Unable to Perform list. However, he'd suit up in the final seven games of the season. He'd play a career-best 58 defensive snaps and had 2 tackles for loss along with his first career sack. Nephi Sewell will have a fight on his hands this offseason for a roster spot. The Saints brought in more competition at linebacker behind starters Demario Davis and Pete Werner, along with new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. Sewell's experience as a collegiate safety may give him an advantage in coverage packages. He had 5 interceptions in college and moves well in open space, making him a player to watch in Staley's new system.
USA Today
23-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Countdown to Kickoff: James Burnip is the Saints Player of Day 46
Burnip will provide training camp competition for punter Matthew Hayball There are 46 days that remain until the New Orleans Saints open their 2025 regular season. They'll do so at home against the Arizona Cardinals under Kellen Moore as their new head coach. At this time, No. 46 is being worn by punter James Burnip. An undrafted rookie, Burnip is trying to overthrow incumbent Matthew Hayball for the punting job. Here's a look at Burnip's path to the NFL as our Saints Player of the Day. An Australian rules football player at Victoria University, Burnip was recruited by SEC schools Mississippi and Alabama before deciding on the Crimson Tide. He won the punting job at Alabama as a freshman in 2021. Burnip consistently showed great range throughout his career with the Crimson Tide, averaging 43.9 yards per punt over his four years. The 2023 season was Burnip's best. He led the SEC with 2,806 yards, averaging a whopping 47.6 per kick to finish third in the conference and resulting in 2nd Team All-SEC recognition. Leading up to the 2025 NFL draft, Burnip was considered one of the top punting prospects. Florida punter Jeremy Crawshaw was the only punter drafted, going in Round 6 by the Denver Broncos. This led to New Orleans signing James Burnip to an undrafted deal. Burnip was also a second-round selection by the Ottawa Redblacks in the Canadian Football League global draft. New Orleans has had three different punters in the last three seasons. The last two, Hayball and Lou Hedley, were also former Australian rules football players. James Burnip will now have his opportunity to face off against Matthew Hayball to provide competition for the Saints punting job in 2025.
