Gray continues to be one of the NFL’s best special teams performers

There are 48 days to go before the New Orleans Saints take the field for the 2025 regular season opener. They’ll host the Arizona Cardinals to kick off the year, it’s first with Kellen Moore as head coach. Backup safety and special teams ace J.T. Gray has worn No. 48 with the Saints for the last seven seasons. Here’s a better look at his career as our Saints Player of the Day.

Name (age): Juantavius Tavon Gray (29)Hometown: Clarksdale, Miss.Position: SafetyHeight, weight: 6-feet, 202 poundsCollege: Mississippi State BulldogsRelative Athletic Score: 7.90Drafted: Undrafted in 2018 (Saints)NFL experience: 7 years2025 salary cap hit: $3,580,000

Out of Clarksdale High School in Mississippi, Gray would stay close to home with his collegiate selection. After little action as a freshman, Gray became a major part of the Mississippi State defensive unit. Over his last three years with the Bulldogs, Gray had 4 sacks, 15 tackles for loss among his 201 total stops, and returned his only collegiate interception for a touchdown.

Gray was not selected in the 2018 NFL draft, instead signing an undrafted deal with New Orleans. He didn’t do much in the preseason as a rookie, yet was kept on the roster going into the year. He’d only appear in five games before being released in 2018, but was immediately brought back to the practice squad. Since 2019, Gray has widely been considered one of the best special teams players in the NFL.

J.T. Gray has never been much of a defensive contributor for the Saints. He’s broken up only one pass and has 2.5 sacks in seven years while playing less than 5% of the defensive snaps. Where Gray’s importance lies is on special teams, where New Orleans is annually among the NFL’s best. Gray earned a Pro Bowl and 1st Team All-Pro honors in 2021, when he led the league in special teams tackles. He’d earn 2nd Team All-Pro recognition in both 2019 and 2024. Gray is arguably the league’s best in punt coverage, kickoff coverage, and punt protection. It’s likely those attributes that will continue his job security in the NFL.