Which Saints Late Round Picks Will Be the Most Impactful?
Every year, late-round picks emerge from the shadows to become key contributors, sometimes even stars. For the New Orleans Saints, the 2025 NFL Draft may have delivered two such prospects: linebacker Danny Stutsman, a fourth-round pick from Oklahoma, and running back Devin Neal, a sixth-round pick from Kansas. Although they weren't selected in the top rounds, both players possess high-level production, football intelligence, and pro-ready traits that could enable them to contribute right away. Most importantly, they land in ideal situations with veteran mentors and immediate opportunities to carve out roles.
Danny Stutsman enters the NFL as one of college football’s most productive linebackers, bringing with him the leadership, physicality, and instincts that defined his time at Oklahoma. With the Saints, he joins a linebacker group led by veteran Demario Davis, giving him an excellent role model to learn from. Stutsman’s blend of play recognition and sideline-to-sideline range makes him an ideal fit for New Orleans’ defense, especially in sub-packages or as a rotational player. Early on, he’ll likely contribute on special teams while gaining valuable reps behind Davis and Pete Werner, with the potential to develop into a future starter.
Devin Neal, a sixth-round pick from Kansas, brings explosiveness, vision, and versatility to the Saints' backfield, despite it not being a crowded running back room that includes Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller. Neal offers a unique skill set that could help him carve out a role early. His quick acceleration, patience behind the line, and ability to contribute as a receiver make him a strong candidate for third-down or change-of-pace duties. With Kamara as a mentor, Neal has a valuable opportunity to develop his all-around game and become a reliable contributor in multiple phases of the offense.
The Saints may have found real value in Stutsman and Neal, two players who landed in just the right situations to thrive. Surrounded by veteran leadership and clear developmental paths, both rookies are poised to make meaningful contributions early in their careers. Their skill sets not only match the Saints' schemes but also bring fresh energy and depth to two key position groups. If their college production and work ethic translate, they could become cornerstone pieces of the team’s future and proof that the later rounds of the draft still hold plenty of treasure.
