The New Orleans Saints have had some brutal misses in recent drafts, but the franchise has also had some legacy-defining hits. One thing New Orleans has been good at is finding talent in the mid to later rounds, and that’s typically what separates teams in the draft. It’s much easier to land on first-round talents than it is on players selected on day two and three.
The Saints will be looking for some day-two gems in the 2025 Draft, and one of them might be wide receiver Jalen Royals.
Accolades: 2023 1st team Mountain West, 2023 3rd team All-American
2024 stats: 55 receptions, 839 yards, 6 touchdowns
Size: 6”0’, 205 LBs
Projection: Day 2
Jalen Royals is a sure-handed receiver who has game-changing speed. After missing most of 2024 with a foot injury, Royals’ stock will sky-rocket with the upcoming pre-draft events. His elite speed, sure hands, and ability to play bigger than his height make him an intriguing prospect for any team.
Royals suffered a season-ending foot injury against New Mexico in Week 7. Prior to that, he was having an impressive 2024 campaign, having over 100 yards in each of the last four games. The injury isn’t supposed to impact Royals’ availability in any pre-draft event.
His best quality is his impressive speed. He reportedly ran a 4.3 40-yard dash in 2022 to get recruited to Utah State. It’s going to be telling to see what his 40 is at the NFL Combine, there’s a high chance it will vault him into day two. It’s a challenge for anyone to stay with him, particularly in man coverage.
It’s rare to see Royals drop a catch, making him a reliable target for the quarterback. In addition to this, he has a rare ability to move the chains. In his seven games, he caught 34 passes for first downs.
Royals has a high IQ for being a receiver. He understands opposing coverages and how to attack them, especially against zone coverage. He also knows how to use the defenders' leverage against them, allowing him to create ample separation.
6”0’ is not small for a receiver, however, Royals plays much bigger than that. In his career at Utah State, he has 25 catches. He attacks the ball, snagging it out of mid-air. Royals has impressive body control while in the air. He makes a highlight reel catch regularly.
Royals isn’t a polished prospect. He needs to improve his blocking in the run game, as he can get overpowered by defensive backs at times. In addition to that, he needs to work on his non-vertical route running. His route running can be sloppy when he’s trying to make quick cuts.
Jalen Royals can elevate a team’s receiving core with his groundbreaking speed and contested catch ability. Adding him in New Orleans would provide much-needed depth at a thin position.