Get to know Donovan Peoples-Jones, Terrell Burgess, and Hunter Dekkers
The New Orleans Saints completed a flurry of roster moves on Monday, having signed a couple of free agents who tried out at their rookie minicamp while letting several other players go to make room. So what’s the scoop on each move? Here’s what you need to know on each of the incoming (and outgoing) players:
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones signed to the 90-man roster
Peoples-Jones, 26, had a very productive season with the Cleveland Browns in 2022 (61 catches for 839 yards) but has struggled to reach those heights between stops with both the Browns and Detroit Lions. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 204 pounds, he offers similar size and maybe more athleticism than other guys on the roster like Cedrick Wilson Jr., Dante Pettis, and Kevin Austin Jr. They’re all competing for that fifth or sixth roster spot at wide receiver. Read more here.
DB Terrell Burgess signed to the 90-man roster
Burgess, 26, is a safety whose career began with the Los Angeles Rams when Brandon Staley was their defensive coordinator. He knows the playbook and has done well in nickel defenses in the past, and the Saints are giving him an opportunity to push guys like Ugo Amadi and Jordan Howden at the bottom of the depth chart. He’s done most of his work on special teams and needs to prove he can make a difference in the game’s third phase to secure a roster spot this summer. Read more here.
RB Jordan Mims released from the 90-man roster
Mims, 25, ranked fourth in touches at running back for the Saints last year but wasn’t part of Kellen Moore’s plans for the position. Neither was Jamaal Williams, who had the second-most carries and receptions behind Alvin Kamara. The Saints need more juice in the backfield and Moore is clearly taking steps to get different types of athletes at running back. Mims shouldn’t be out of work for very long. He could be a good fit in the right offense. Read more here.
DB Millard Bradford released from the 90-man roster
Bradford, 25, was the odd man out at safety with Burgess coming in. He signed with the Saints last year as a rookie free agent from TCU and initially helped out on special teams while bouncing back and forth between the practice squad and gameday roster. There is always a demand for young and hungry athletes who are willing to cover punts and kickoffs in this league. Good luck to Bradford in what’s next. Read more here.
QB Hunter Dekkers signed to the 90-man roster
Dekkers, 23, was the only other quarterback at rookie minicamp besides second-round pick Tyler Shough. He’s already begun learning the playbook and getting to know his coaches, so it makes sense for Moore and Co. to give him a longer look over the summer. Dekkers likely would’ve been a mid-round pick just like Jake Haener had he stayed at Iowa State, but a gambling scandal cost his NCAA eligibility. It’s early, but the Saints may have gotten a steal to sign him as an undrafted rookie. Read more here.