Just 17 days separate us from the New Orleans Saints regular season opener against the Arizona Cardinals in the Superdome. Dante Pettis wears No. 17 with New Orleans currently. Pettis is one of the holdovers from last year’s squad that was picked up at midseason. As our Saints Player of the Day, it’s time to take a closer look at Pettis.

Name (age): Dante Pettis (29)

Hometown: San Juan Capistrano, Cal.

Height, weight: 6-foot-1, 200 pounds

College: Washington Huskies

Relative Athletic Score: 7.97

Drafted: Round 2, 44th overall in 2018 (San Francisco 49ers)

2025 salary cap hit: $1,030,000

From JSerra Catholic High School in California, Pettis would commit to the University of Washington. He made contributions immediately as a true freshman in 2014, catching 17 passes for 259 yards and averaging 10.3 yards with a score as a punt returner. As a sophomore, Pettis saw more offensive action with 30 receptions and 414 yards. He’d also lead the Pac-12 in punt return average (10.1) along with return yardage and 2 touchdowns. Even more dangerous as a returner in 2016 with an 11.5 average and 2 scores, Pettis also had 53 receptions for 822 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Huskies. Pettis had a slight drop in production as a senior with 63 catches for 761 yards and 7 scores, but led Washington in all three categories. His 428 punt return yards, 20.4 average, and 4 scores via return in 2017 led the entire NCAA in all three areas. Pettis left the Huskies with his 9 return touchdowns being the NCAA all-time leader.

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San Francisco took Pettis off the board with the 11th choice in Round 2 of the 2018 NFL draft. He was the fourth wideout selected, tying for the 49ers team high with 5 touchdowns as a rookie to go along with his 27 catches for 467 yards. Pettis had a drop in production during the 2019 season, catching only 11 balls for 109 yards and 2 scores. He also didn’t exhibit any of his collegiate game-breaking traits as a returner, averaging a disappointing 4 yards per attempt. Midway into the 2020 season, Pettis was released by the 49ers. He was picked up by the New York Giants but appeared in only five games through the end of 2020 and entire 2021 campaign. In 2022, the Chicago Bears signed Pettis as a free agent. He’d play in all 17 games, making seven starts, but had just 19 receptions for 245 yards and 3 scores while averaging 9.1 as a punt returner.

Pettis re-signed with the Bears in 2023 but would spend that year on injured reserve. He was released by Chicago during 2024 training camp with an injury settlement. New Orleans signed him to their practice squad prior to Week 7 of last year, but elevated him just a few weeks later after injuries ravaged their receiving corps. Pettis would be active for the final eight games of the year, catching 12 of his 28 targets for 120 yards and a touchdown. He also averaged a career-best 12.9 yards per punt return, even with having one long one called back by penalty.

This offseason, the Saints re-signed Pettis to a one-year contract. Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed will be the team’s top wideouts. However, Pettis is in the mix for one of the top backup jobs. His abilities as a returner can also be valuable as a fallback to the explosive Shaheed. Through the first two preseason games, Pettis has caught 6 passes for 82 yards. One of those was a touchdown in the final moments of a 17-17 tie against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Saints need viable receiving threats behind Olave and Shaheed. Dante Pettis will need to show that he can be a potential threat to cement a roster spot.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: Dante Pettis is the Saints Player of Day 17