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There are 86 days remaining until the New Orleans Saints start off their 2026 regular season. The Saints will start this year off on the road, traveling to take on the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sept. 13. As the Saints sit a little over a month before training camp, tight end Cody Hardy wears No. 86 for the team.
Hardy is an undrafted rookie out of North Carolina State. The Saints have had a lot of luck with undrafted rookies in recent years. Hardy has an uphill climb just to make the roster at a loaded position though. As our Saints Player of the Day, we have a closer look at Hardy's background.
Out of Parkwood High School in North Carolina, Hardy initially attended Elon University. He was there for three seasons, recording 10 catches for 63 yards over his final two years. Hardy transferred to North Carolina State for his final collegiate season. Like at Elon, he was mostly used as a blocker. He appeared in every game for the Wolfpack, pulling in 6 receptions for 83 yards and 2 touchdowns and rushing for another score. The Saints sent tight ends coach Chase Haslett to scout N.C. State tight end Justin Joly at his pro day, but he couldn't work out due to an injury. Hardy caught Haslett's eye instead.
Hardy was not selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, instead getting signed to an undrafted contract by the Saints. He'll be hard-pressed to earn a spot on the active roster, but his $170,000 in guarantees suggests the team expects him to at least land on the practice squad. New Orleans returns starter Juwan Johnson, then added athletic Noah Fant in free agency and another dual threat with Oscar Delp in the third round of the draft. Hardy's size gives him an outside shot. He's the biggest tight end on the roster and his blocking ability could earn him a role on the practice squad or even in short yardage packages for New Orleans as a rookie.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Countdown to Kickoff, Day 86: Cody Hardy is Saints Player of the Day
Continue reading...
Hardy is an undrafted rookie out of North Carolina State. The Saints have had a lot of luck with undrafted rookies in recent years. Hardy has an uphill climb just to make the roster at a loaded position though. As our Saints Player of the Day, we have a closer look at Hardy's background.
- Name (age): Cody Hardy (22)
- Hometown: Monroe, N.C.
- Position: Tight end
- Height, weight: 6-foot-5, 271 pounds
- College: NC State Wolfpack
- Relative Athletic Score: N/A
- Drafted: Undrafted in 2026 (Saints)
- NFL experience: Rookie
- 2026 salary cap hit: $891,666
Out of Parkwood High School in North Carolina, Hardy initially attended Elon University. He was there for three seasons, recording 10 catches for 63 yards over his final two years. Hardy transferred to North Carolina State for his final collegiate season. Like at Elon, he was mostly used as a blocker. He appeared in every game for the Wolfpack, pulling in 6 receptions for 83 yards and 2 touchdowns and rushing for another score. The Saints sent tight ends coach Chase Haslett to scout N.C. State tight end Justin Joly at his pro day, but he couldn't work out due to an injury. Hardy caught Haslett's eye instead.
Hardy was not selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, instead getting signed to an undrafted contract by the Saints. He'll be hard-pressed to earn a spot on the active roster, but his $170,000 in guarantees suggests the team expects him to at least land on the practice squad. New Orleans returns starter Juwan Johnson, then added athletic Noah Fant in free agency and another dual threat with Oscar Delp in the third round of the draft. Hardy's size gives him an outside shot. He's the biggest tight end on the roster and his blocking ability could earn him a role on the practice squad or even in short yardage packages for New Orleans as a rookie.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Countdown to Kickoff, Day 86: Cody Hardy is Saints Player of the Day
Continue reading...
