The New Orleans Saints have had more success with undrafted players than most NFL teams.
Michael Lewis, Pierre Thomas, Lance Moore, and Sammy Knight went from undrafted players to the Saints Hall of Fame. Other undrafted rookies like Deonte Harris, Marquez Callaway, Chris Ivory, Khiry Robinson, Shy Tuttle, and Josh Hill made significant contributions while with the Saints.
The current New Orleans roster contains players that weren't drafted like Rashid Shaheed, Taysom Hill, Juwan Johnson, Carl Granderson, and J.T. Gray. All are significant contributors to the team.
Logan Ulrich, a writer for NFL Trade Rumors (@nfltrade_rumors) highlighted one player to watch from each NFL squad that was not selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Delaware running back Marcus Yarns makes a catch against Elon. © William Bretzger / USA TODAY NETWORK
Delaware running back Marcus Yarns makes a catch against Elon. © William Bretzger / USA TODAY NETWORK
Ulrich's choice for the Saints was Marcus Yarns, an undrafted running back out of Delaware.
''Yarns has all the makings of a preseason darling with his home-run speed and pass-catching ability. His production at Delaware as a receiver wouldn't make this obvious, but he has some legit hands and some route-running savvy, enough to potentially moonlight as a slot receiver.
His (Yarns) best asset is his speed and burst. He hit 4.45 seconds in the 40 with an outstanding 1.54 second 10-yard split, with his jumps also showing acceleration skills. He's not built to handle a huge load and his agility testing revealed more of a straight-line player, but Yarns has the skills to make a roster right away as a kick returner and eventually become a contributor on offense.''
Delaware running back Marcus Yarns (left) gets past Maine's Robby Riobe. © William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Delaware running back Marcus Yarns (left) gets past Maine's Robby Riobe. © William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Athon Sports also highlighted Yarns in a rookie profile this past week.
STRENGTHS (via Athlon Sports)
''As a runner, Yarns shows outstanding burst through the hole and impressive acceleration into the second level of defenses. He's shown the patience to let blocks develop in front of him, then has tremendous elusiveness to get away from tacklers in space.
Yarns possesses excellent natural receiving skills. He has reliable hands and the agility to adjust to off-target throws to secure a reception. His patience allows him to be a lethal weapon on screens. He also shows enough as a route runner to be a viable target in motion or lined up in the slot.
Marcus Yarns may never be a featured back in the NFL because of a lack of interior power. However, Yarns has the explosiveness as a runner and the receiving skills to be a reliable change-of-pace back or a matchup weapon to give defenses fits.''
Delaware Blue Hens running back Marcus Yarns (21) evades a tackler against the Villanova Wildcats. © William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Delaware Blue Hens running back Marcus Yarns (21) evades a tackler against the Villanova Wildcats. © William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Areas Of Concern (via Athlon Sports)
''Listed at 5'11" and 194-Lbs., there are questions whether Yarns can be an effective inside runner. He wasn't asked to do much of that at Delaware and didn't break many tackles or have a great deal of success in short yardage situations.
At times, Yarns hesitated or danced around too much in the backfield instead of hitting an open crease. If used on third downs or passing situations, he'll need to improve his pass protection and expand his route tree out of the backfield.''
Delaware running back Marcus Yarns (21) takes a short pass for a long touchdown against Towson. © William Bretzger/Delaware News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Delaware running back Marcus Yarns (21) takes a short pass for a long touchdown against Towson. © William Bretzger/Delaware News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Over his last two collegiate seasons, Yarns rushed for 1,783 yards and 21 touchdowns for the Blue Hens. In his last three years at Delaware, he caught 62 passes for 807 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Marcus Yarns is a game-breaker. Last season, he had runs of 69, 44, and 35 yards while adding receptions of 86 and 65 yards. The previous two years, Yarns had breakaway runs of 82, 66, 53, 51, and 50 yards with long receptions of 75, 72, and 47.
Delaware running back Marcus Yarns heads for the end zone on the first play from scrimmage against Albany. © William Bretzger/Delaware News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Delaware running back Marcus Yarns heads for the end zone on the first play from scrimmage against Albany. © William Bretzger/Delaware News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Saints desperately need a backfield complement to Alvin Kamara. Kendre Miller, a third-round choice in 2023, has tantalizing ability but has missed 20 of a possible 34 games because of injuries. Clyde Edwards-Helaire was a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and is trying to jump-start his once promising career.
With two former high draft choices not able to secure the number two backfield spot, the opportunity is there for Yarns and sixth-round rookie running back Devin Neal out of Kansas.
As New Orleans has shown throughout recent history, late-round picks and undrafted rookies will be given ample chance to turn heads and earn a role on the team.