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It is down to 63 days until the New Orleans Saints officially kick off their 2026 regular season. The Saints will be on the road for their first game, taking on the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sept. 13. Rookie edge rusher Michael Heldman is wearing No. 63 as New Orleans prepares to start training camp.
An undrafted rookie, Heldman's chances to even make the roster seem long. However, he'll have an opportunity on a defense looking for a young playmaker at his position. Here's a look at our latest Saints Player of the Day.
A three-star recruit at Romeo High School in Michigan, Heldman stayed in-state with his commitment to the Chippewas. He was solid at Central Michigan over his first three years, gathering 8.5 sacks and 17.5 stops for loss. Heldman had a breakout campaign in 2025, leading the Chippewa with 10.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss in earning 1st Team All-MAC honors. He'll need to improve his play speed, especially around the edge, while developing his counter moves as a pass rusher. However, Heldman has some power in his game and other athletic traits that could help him stick on a roster.
Undrafted rookies typically have an uphill battle to make an NFL roster. However, there will be an opportunity for Heldman in Brandon Staley's defense. The Saints have their starting edge rushers in Chase Young and Cameron Jordan. Carl Granderson and Tyree Wilson are the early favorites to be the backups. Heldman will first have to overcome competition from Chris Rumph II, Anfernee Jennings, and Fadil Diggs. Beyond that, Jordan is 37 and in his 16th season and Wilson has not come close to living up to his first round draft expectations. Thought the odds are against him, Heldman will have a chance to catch the attention of his coaches during training camp and preseason to potentially carve himself a present and future role in the defense.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: Michael Heldman is the Saints Player of Day 63
Continue reading...
An undrafted rookie, Heldman's chances to even make the roster seem long. However, he'll have an opportunity on a defense looking for a young playmaker at his position. Here's a look at our latest Saints Player of the Day.
- Name (age): Michael Heldman (23)
- Hometown: Romeo, Mich.
- Position: Defensive end
- Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 268 pounds
- College: Central Michigan Chippewas
- Relative Athletic Score: 9.88
- Drafted: Undrafted in 2026 (Saints)
- NFL experience: Rookie
- 2026 salary cap hit: $891,666
A three-star recruit at Romeo High School in Michigan, Heldman stayed in-state with his commitment to the Chippewas. He was solid at Central Michigan over his first three years, gathering 8.5 sacks and 17.5 stops for loss. Heldman had a breakout campaign in 2025, leading the Chippewa with 10.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss in earning 1st Team All-MAC honors. He'll need to improve his play speed, especially around the edge, while developing his counter moves as a pass rusher. However, Heldman has some power in his game and other athletic traits that could help him stick on a roster.
Undrafted rookies typically have an uphill battle to make an NFL roster. However, there will be an opportunity for Heldman in Brandon Staley's defense. The Saints have their starting edge rushers in Chase Young and Cameron Jordan. Carl Granderson and Tyree Wilson are the early favorites to be the backups. Heldman will first have to overcome competition from Chris Rumph II, Anfernee Jennings, and Fadil Diggs. Beyond that, Jordan is 37 and in his 16th season and Wilson has not come close to living up to his first round draft expectations. Thought the odds are against him, Heldman will have a chance to catch the attention of his coaches during training camp and preseason to potentially carve himself a present and future role in the defense.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: Michael Heldman is the Saints Player of Day 63
Continue reading...
