In the ever-evolving landscape of NFL rosters, the New Orleans Saints made some noteworthy moves on Tuesday as they continued their quest to fine-tune their squad for the season. One of the most significant developments was the release of wide receiver Jontrae Kirklinfrom the Saints’ practice squad, as reported by Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com. Kirklin, who had spent a substantial part of the training camp in New Orleans, had been vying for a coveted spot on the Saints’ regular-season roster. Despite his efforts, Kirklin ultimately found himself on the practice squad, only to be let go on Tuesday, leaving him on the hunt for a new landing spot in the NFL.
In addition to Kirklin’s departure, the Saints held tryouts for several players, signaling their commitment to bolstering their roster with talent. Among the prospects on their radar were defensive backs Cameron Brown, Cameron Dantzler, Faion Hicks, Michael Ojemudia, and William Rodaris, along with defensive end Takk McKinley and tight end Michael Jacobson.
Cameron Brown, 6-1 190 pounds a former Ohio State standout, was initially signed by the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent this year but fell short of making their final roster.Cameron Dantzler, 6-2 190 pounds hailing from Hammond, Louisiana, started his NFL journey as a third-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2020 draft. After 26 starts in 35 games with the Vikings, he sought opportunities with the Washington Commanders, Buffalo Bills, and Houston Texans.
Faion Hicks, 5-10 192 pounds was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2022, faced an early release during this year’s preseason, while Michael Ojemudia,6-1 200 pounds had a turbulent journey through the league, experiencing stints with the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears, among others.
William Rodaris Williams, 6-0 193 pounds sixth-round pick by the New York Giants in 2021, overcame an ACL injury to make his presence felt in the league. However, his release during the preseason led him to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before catching the Saints’ attention. The Saints turned their sights on Takk McKinley, 6-3 265 pounds a former first-round pick from UCLA who played for the Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Rams, and Dallas Cowboys throughout his career. He has amassed 20 sacks in 64 games played and was the only defensive end brought in for tryouts. McKinley could be veteran depth at end for the injured Payton Turner who is currently dealing with a toe issue.
Adding intrigue to the mix, the Saints explored tight end Michael Jacobson 6-7 244 pounds, a former basketball player who transitioned to football, Jacobson’s unique background could provide an interesting twist in the Saints’ search for roster talent.
