**1 Undrafted Free Agent Likely to Make Saints’ 2024 Roster**
The New Orleans Saints’ undrafted free agent with the highest chance of making the 2024 roster is former Idaho wide receiver Jermaine Jackson.
After selecting seven players in the 2024 NFL Draft, starting with Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga and ending with Eastern Kentucky’s Josiah Ezirim, the Saints signed 16 undrafted free agents. Among these, Jackson stands out as the most likely to secure a spot on the team for Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers.
**Expect Jermaine Jackson to Be on the Saints’ 2024 Roster**
Analyzing the Saints’ draft picks and undrafted signings reveals their perceived weaknesses. By selecting two tackles and signing undrafted guards and a center — Kyle Hergel (Boston College), Nouri Nouili (Nebraska), and Sincere Haynesworth (Tulane) — it’s clear that head coach Dennis Allen is addressing issues on the offensive line.
Wide receiver was another focus for the Saints, drafting Pitt’s Bub Means in Round 5 and signing three more wideouts post-draft: Idaho’s Jermaine Jackson, Slippery Rock’s Kyle Sheets, and Yale’s Mason Tipton. These new additions join Chris Olave, Rasheed Shaheed, AT Perry, Equanimeous St. Brown, Cedrick Wilson Jr., and Stanley Morgan in the offseason roster. While Olave, Shaheed, and likely Perry are secure in their spots, the remaining roster slots are open for competition.
Given the current roster, the Saints are expected to favor young talent over average veteran players like St. Brown, Wilson, or Morgan for the remaining wide receiver spots.
**Why Jermaine Jackson Stands Out**
Among the undrafted free agents, Jackson is the most promising due to his special teams skills. Despite his small stature (5-foot-7, 170 pounds), he excelled in the return game at Idaho, accumulating 638 kick return yards and 540 punt return yards in 25 games, with three punt return touchdowns and one kickoff return touchdown. As a receiver, Jackson caught 107 passes for 1,687 yards and six touchdowns in 28 games, and he also had 16 carries for 129 yards, showcasing his versatility as a potential gadget player.
While Shaheed is already one of the top return specialists in the league, finishing third last season with 13.6 yards per punt return, Jackson’s addition is crucial. Shaheed, being the No. 2 receiver, poses a risk if used extensively in return duties. Additionally, with the new XFL-style kickoff rules coming to the NFL, dynamic return specialists will become even more valuable.
Jackson’s abilities make him a strong candidate for a slot receiver position and a gadget role, making him the most likely undrafted rookie to make the Saints’ roster for the 2024 season.
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