Receiver Russell Gage leads a group of players trying out for Saints during minicamp
The New Orleans Saints have started their mandatory minicamp, which means all rostered players are required to be in attendance, unless excused. While this is the last opportunity to get the entire team together and practice before training camp, it’s also an opportunity to possibly welcome new players.
Every year, teams allow a select few free agents to go through minicamp with them on a tryout basis. If the players are impressive over the three days of minicamp, they can earn a roster spot. There are five players trying to do just that for the Saints this year. It was reported that Russell Gage, Camron Peterson, Jordan Smith, Roderic Teamer, and Cameron Wire are all trying out this week.
Saints have five tryout players at minicamp
Russell Gage is the biggest name of the group. The veteran receiver, drafted in 2018, has spent his entire career in the NFC South. He spent his first four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, then played two years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gage has been pretty productive, surpassing 400 receiving yards in every year except his rookie season. That includes back-to-back seasons with 770 yards or more in 2020 and 2021.
The other four have yet to have that kind of production in the NFL. Roderic Teamer is a safety that entered the league in 2019, spending time with the Los Angeles Chargers, Indianapolis Colts, and Las Vegas Raiders. He has appeared in 40 games in his career, starting 11, and has been mostly a depth defender and special teams player.
Jordan Smith is an outside linebacker that has been apart of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Kansas City Chiefs, but only appeared in two games back in 2021. Camron Peterson and Cameron Wire are two undrafted players looking to make their first regular-season roster. Peterson, a defensive tackle, signed with the Baltimore Ravens after the 2023 Draft, but didn’t make the 53-man roster. Wire, on the other hand, attended rookie minicamp with the Saints on a tryout basis, and is still fighting for a spot with the team.