The New Orleans Saints may have found a diamond in the rough. Michael Heldman, an edge rusher out of Central Michigan, signed with the team following the 2026 NFL Draft, and early indications suggest he has a legitimate chance to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

Heldman enters a crowded position group, but one that is far from settled. The Saints have a few established names at defensive end—Chase Young and Carl Granderson are locks—but beyond them, the depth chart is wide open. The team has brought back Chris Rumph II and Fadil Diggs from last year's squad, added former Jacksonville Jaguars draft pick Myles Cole, traded for Tyree Wilson from the Las Vegas Raiders, and signed Anfernee Jennings fresh off a Super Bowl appearance with the New England Patriots. That leaves just two open spots behind Young and Granderson, making every rep in training camp critical.

So, what makes Heldman stand out in such a competitive field? For starters, his production speaks volumes. In his final season at Central Michigan, Heldman racked up 12 sacks, 53 total pressures, 24 solo tackles, 29 stops, five tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. Those numbers caught the attention of SB Nation's Doug Farrar, who named Heldman one of nine undrafted rookies to watch this summer.

There's also the matter of Cameron Jordan's uncertain future. The eight-time Pro Bowler played on a one-year deal in 2025 and delivered double-digit sacks for the first time since 2021, proving he still has plenty left in the tank. But with Jordan potentially not returning in 2026, the Saints' defensive line rotation is more open than it has been in over a decade. That creates an opportunity for a young player like Heldman to carve out a role.

Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley is known for creative schemes, and Heldman's versatility could be a perfect fit. At 6'4" and 268 pounds, he's built to hold up against the run, but he also generates pressure effectively—both in traditional four-man fronts and with pre-snap movement. While he's not a pure speed rusher who bends around the edge, Heldman uses his power to convert speed into force, often displacing blockers at the point of attack.

It's not every day you see an undrafted rookie compared to a 109-sack NFL veteran, but Farrar noted that when Heldman explodes out of a four-point stance, there's a glimpse of Ryan Kerrigan in his game. That's high praise, but it also underscores the potential that has Saints fans—and the coaching staff—taking a closer look.