Meet the UDFAs, Part 2 (defense): A lot of upside and 1 dark-horse pick

The New Orleans Saints rookie class is set to take the field this weekend, but who are the undrafted players to watch?

In Part 2 of our Meet the UDFAs series on the Audacy original podcast Inside Black & Gold, Saints sideline reporter gives you a crash-course on the 7 defensive players and one specialist who will be looking to catch the attention of coaches and show why they should stick around for the 2024 season.

Scroll for each of the 7 defensive players and a specialist we're breaking down today, and click here to catch up on Part 1 and the offense .

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SEGMENT 1 : Saints UDFA Breakdown: 1 Punter & 1 Tweener ( click here to listen )

It’s time to dive into the other half of the New Orleans Saints’ UDFA haul, a group that includes 7 defensive players and one specialist. In this first segment we’ll look at Vanderbilt punter Matt Hayball, who could be a legitimate threat in a competition with Lou Hedley, as well as South Dakota State LB Isaiah Stalbird, a tweener with an incredible story. Let’s dive in.

MATT HAYBALL , P, Vanderbilt
- Measurables : 6-1. 190 pounds
- Fast facts : Former Aussie rules rugby player ... began college career at FAU where he was recruited by Lane Kiffin ... transferred to Vanderbilt for final two seasons, averaging 47.6 yards per punt in final season ... friends with Lou Hedley, with both punting in similar style.

ISAIAH STALBIRD , LB, S. Dakota State

- Measurables : 6-1, 215 pounds
- Fast facts : Began career as a walk-on at Nebraska, where he played safety ... transferred to South Dakota State to finish out his college career and was ultimately converted to a hybrid linebacker, a role he played in his final season ... a bit undersized but should be a plus asset in coverage from the LB level ... ... good athlete with a 4.43 in th3 40-yard dash, a 37.5 inch vertical leap and 198 reps on the 225-pound bench press ... highly productive with 80 tackles in senior season. In total he's appeared in 52 college games with 238 tackles and an interception ... An easy player to root for, with Isaiah having battled through a lot as a child and coming up through the foster system.

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SEGMENT 2 : Saints UDFA Breakdown: Defensive Linemen, AKA the ‘High Motor’ Gang ( click here to listen )

The New Orleans Saints are very familiar with developing undrafted defensive linemen, but is the next one in this trio? We dive in on Oklahoma State’s Nathan Latu, Arkansas’ Trajan Jeffcoat and Minnesota’s Kyler Baugh, all self-described high-motor guys, but one shows it a lot more than others. Here’s what to know.

NATHAN LATU, DE, Oklahoma State
- Measurables : 6-4, 242
- Fast facts : Began college career at the junior college level before transferring to Oklahoma State for the 2021 season ... brother of current 49ers tight end Cam Latu, but no clear relation to fellow rookie pass-rusher Laiatu Latu ... Had his most productive year in final season, appearing in 14 games with 31 tackles, 3 sacks and a forced fumble ... IDs Cam Jordan as one of his favorite players and describes his game as a "high-motor" style ... somewhat undersized relative to the Saints typical prototypes.

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TRAJAN JEFFCOAT , DE, Arkansas

- Measurables : 6-4, 266 pounds
- Fast facts : Former 2/3-star recruit out of Columbia, South Carolina ... began career at Missouri where he was a key piece of the Tigers' defensive line, then transferred to Arkansas for his final collegiate season (said he wanted to stay in the top conference) ... named team captain and had a highly productive final season, appearing in 12 games with 16 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 4 sacks and 29 QB pressures (led team) ... for his career he's appeared in 60 games (40 starts) with 98 tackles and 15 sacks ... Another player who says he models his game after Cam Jordan, but also possesses the more traditional build the Saints look for at the position with a frame that looks like it could comfortably add some more weight ... Good athlete with a 4.66 in the 40-yard dash, a 31.5-inch vertical leap and 21 reps on the 225-pound bench press ... Played both sides of the line in college and has a knack for making plays in the backfield, but also has a lot of reps where he'll get hung up on blocks ... likely needs to improve as a run-defender to have an early impact ... good rush skills, but not particularly polished. Needs to develop a consistent counter move off the bullrush, which was more effective at the college level than it will be in the pros ... An intriguing DL prospect along similar developmental lines as Carl Granderson.

KYLER BAUGH , DT, Minnesota
- Measurables : 6-2, 305 pounds
- Fast facts : Began career at Houston Baptist before transferring to Minnesota ... Highly productive final season, appearing in 13 games with 41 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3 sacks and 4 pass breakups ... Another guy who describes his style as high motor, but you can certainly see it on tape for Kyler. He's routinely fighting off blocks to make plays in the run game or downfield. Does a lot of things similar to Malcolm Roach, who stuck around as a rookie UDFA ... Solid athlet for his size with a 4.97 in the 40-yard dash ... Says when he got to Minnesota, it was Jordan Howden was was assigned as his veteran mentor. Howden was a 5th round pick of the Saints in 2023.

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Segment 3 : Saints UDFA Breakdown: Defensive Backs & Jeff’s Dark Horse Pick ( click here to listen )

The New Orleans Saints brought in three defensive backs in their UDFA class, but are any of them legitimate threats to make the roster? Jeff breaks down Pitt. State’s Rico Payton, TCU’s Millard Bradford and SE Missouri State’s Lawrence Johnson, one of whom is our early dark horse pick to make the roster out of camp.

RICO PAYTON , CB, Pittsburgh State (Kansas)
- Measurables : 6-0, 182 pounds
- Fast facts : Saw action for the Gorillas as a freshman, then appeared in just 1 games total between the 2020 and 2021 seasons. For his career he's logged 64 tackles and 4 interceptions, all of the latter coming in his final collegiate season ... Ideal size and length for the position ... Primarily played outside corner and press/man. Says he could play inside if the need arises. ... Came up as a wrestler ... Understands the value of special teams ... Pittsburgh State tape isn't abundant, but moves very fluidly and mirrors routes well. He'll have to show he can do that against upgraded competition to stick around.

MILLARD BRADFORD , S, TCU

- Measurables : 5-11, 190 pounds
- Fast facts : Louisiana native and one of the top prep players in the country coming out of high school ... highly decorated at TCU, appearing in 58 games with 231 tackles, 16.5 TFLs, 4 interceptions, 19 passes defensed and 2 forced fumbles ... more of a true safety prospect ... should be one of the more polished players coming in as a rookie ... doesn't have elite range, could be more of a box safety ... willing tackler and always around the ball, might gamble a bit too much, which could burn you more at the NFL level ... former teammates and friends with Kendre Miller, whom the Saints drafted in the third round last year.

*LAWRENCE JOHNSON , S, SE Missouri State
- Measurables : 6-0, 205 pounds
- Fast facts : Highly productive and versatile player at SEMO, recording 73 tackles in final season ... described by coaches as a "Swiss army knife" and has seen action at both safety spots, outside corner, slot and has even rushed the passer ... Profiles to be effective against the run, but might need to add a bit of weight to be a true thumper in that role ... Ideal candidate to fill a role on special teams for the new kickoff rule, which mirrors a drill run at SEMO ... says he's always looked up to Tyrann Mathieu as a player.
* = Jeff's dark horse pick to make roster

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