Saints must make the Michael Heldman gamble fans desperately want to avoid

Michael Heldman was one of the biggest standout players in the New Orleans Saints first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Saints pass rush off the edge was disruptive, and he was the star of it. 

Heldman finished the day with a team-leading 2 sacks. It was hard to miss the edge rusher on Saturday. He put pressure on the quarterback three additional times to pair with his two sacks. 

Heldman was an undrafted free agent fans immediately flocked to. Analysts also identified him as the UDFA most likely to make the Saints roster. In one game, Heldman has justified the hype and anticipation. 

Can Michael Heldman sneak on the Saints practice squad?

If he keeps getting 2 sacks a game in the preseason, maybe not. Every year there’s a question of if this preseason star can make it past waivers and on to the practice squad. Most times players aren’t scooped up. 

It’s understandable why the question would arise with Heldman. When looking at his background, you’ll see a monster final year at Central Michigan and a great relative athletic score. It’s important to note those things didn’t get him drafted either. 

While those things are notable for Heldman as a prospect, the fact that none of it is new information has to factor into his odds of passing through waivers. He’s off to a hot start, but we aren’t quite at the no way he gets past waivers stage yet. 

It’s also a risk the Saints may have to take. The Saints sat out five edge rushers in the preseason debut, and they only sat out starters and players with a defined role. In other words, the Saints have five players with a secure spot on the 53 man roster. 

That isn’t surprising either. Chase Young, Cam Jordan and Carl Granderson were always clear locks, while Tyree Wilson is a high upside former first round pick. He may be a low investment for the Saints, they weren’t going to bail on the potential reward before the season. 

The one edge defender who fans may have thought was on the fence was Anfernee Jennings, but he’s a monster in run defense. Moral of the story, the edge rusher room is pretty full. It’s more about if Heldman can push the Saints to keep 6 edge rushers. 

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