The New Orleans Saints made seven picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, starting with offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga from Oregon State and concluding with Eastern Kentucky’s Josiah Ezirim at the same position. Following the draft, they added an impressive 16 undrafted free agents to their offseason roster. Of these 16 players, former Idaho wide receiver Jermaine Jackson stands out as the most likely to make the team by Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers.
Jermaine Jackson is a strong candidate for the Saints’ roster as the regular season begins.
Analyzing the draft and undrafted free-agent signings reveals where NFL teams perceive their weaknesses. The Saints’ selection of two tackles and the signing of undrafted guards Kyle Hergel (Boston College), Nouri Nouili (Nebraska), and center Sincere Haynesworth (Tulane) indicate a focus on strengthening the offensive line.
Wide receiver is another position the Saints heavily targeted. They drafted Pitt WR Bub Means in the fifth round and subsequently signed three wideouts: Idaho’s Jermaine Jackson, Slippery Rock’s Kyle Sheets, and Yale’s Mason Tipton, all of whom are participating in the Saints’ rookie minicamp.
These new additions join a wide receiver group that includes Chris Olave, Rasheed Shaheed, AT Perry, Equanimeous St. Brown, Cedrick Wilson Jr., and Stanley Morgan. Olave, Shaheed, and likely Perry are expected to secure roster spots. The remaining positions are open for competition.
Given the Saints’ current roster, it would be more beneficial to allocate the remaining slots to young players rather than to veterans like St. Brown, Wilson, or Morgan. The undrafted free-agent wide receivers each bring unique potential. Tipton impressed with a 4.3-second 40-yard dash at his pro day but hasn’t consistently demonstrated that speed in games. Sheets, at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, dominated at the Division II level.
Jermaine Jackson, however, has the best chance to make the team due to his special teams prowess. At 5-foot-7 and 170 pounds, Jackson excelled in the return game at Idaho, amassing 638 kick return yards and 540 punt return yards in 25 games, with three punts and one kickoff returned for touchdowns. He also proved capable as a receiver, recording 107 catches for 1,687 yards and six touchdowns in 28 games, along with 16 carries for 129 yards as a gadget player.
Although the Saints have a top return specialist in Shaheed, who ranked third last season with 13.6 yards per punt return, having another skilled returner is advantageous, especially with Shaheed’s increasing role as the No. 2 receiver. The new XFL-style kickoff rules in the NFL further enhance the value of a dynamic return man.
In addition to his return skills, Jermaine Jackson can contribute as a slot receiver and gadget player. These factors make him the undrafted rookie most likely to be on the Saints’ field in Week 1.
