Saints rookie Michael Heldman has a real shot at making the roster

[ASFN Admin]

Michael Heldman signed with the New Orleans Saints after the 2026 NFL Draft, and the former Central Michigan edge rusher has a real shot at making the team. Whether or not Cameron Jordan re-signs for 2026, the Saints only have a couple of sure things at the position in Chase Young and Carl Granderson. They brought back Chris Rumph II and Fadil Diggs from last year's team, signed former Jacksonville Jaguars draft pick Myles Cole, traded with the Las Vegas Raiders for Tyree Wilson and brought in Anfernee Jennings fresh off a Super Bowl appearance with the New England Patriots. It's a crowded position group with just two spots open on the 53-man roster behind Young and Granderson.

So what sets Heldman apart? SB Nation's Doug Farrar highlighted Heldman as one of nine undrafted rookies to watch closely over the summer:

It very much looks as if Cameron Jordan won’t be rushing the passer for the Saints for the first time since the 2010 season. The 8-time Pro Bowler played on a one-year contract in 2025, and he had double-digit sacks for the first time since the 2021 season, so there’s still something left in the tank.

Regardless, a Jordan-less Saints defense allows room in the rotation for even undrafted rookies, and perhaps Michael Heldman can benefit. In 2025 for the Central Michigan Chippewas, Heldman had 12 sacks, 53 total pressures, 24 solo tackles, 29 stops, five tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley might like how Heldman is able to generate pressure both in straight four-man fronts, and with pre-snap line movement.

The 6’4”, 268-pound Heldman can work well against the run, and while he’s not a bendy speed guy around the edge per se, he can use speed to power to displace. I’m not comparing him one-on-one to Ryan Kerrigan, who played 11 seasons in the NFL from 2011-2021 and amassed 109 sacks and 581 total pressures in that time, but if you squint when Heldman blasts out of a four-point stance, you might see it a little bit.

Central Michigan EDGE Michael Heldman doing his thing against Michigan, Pitt, Buffalo, and Northwestern. The Chippewas move a ton pre-snap with their fronts to mess with protections, but he doesn't need it to get home. pic.twitter.com/92Aen8h6CD

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) April 8, 2026

Heldman wouldn't be the first rookie free agent to find success in New Orleans, and he isn't even alone in this group. Granderson was signed by the Saints as an undrafted free agent out of Wyoming, worked his way up the depth chart, and earned a long-term extension with the team. If Heldman can make an impact on passing downs and hold up in run defense during the preseason, maybe he can buy time to develop his game, too.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Undrafted rookie Michael Heldman has path to making Saints' roster

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