NFL free agents: Saints try out a dozen defenders on Friday

August 7, 2026

From former second-round draft picks hoping for another chance to rookie free agents looking for their big break, the New Orleans Saints brought in a dozen defenders for tryouts during training camp. Linebacker, defensive linemen, and defensive backs all gathered at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on Friday and a couple of them left with contracts in hand. Here’s what you need to know.

Linebackers

Keli Lawson, Central Florida

Jones signed a one-year deal with the Saints after this tryout, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The No. 52 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Jones earned a Pro Bowl nod in his second season with the Atlanta Falcons but struggled to meet those heights later in his career. Last year, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he logged more snaps on special teams than defense for the first time in his career. Read more here.

Defensive linemen

Kahlil Saunders, Kentucky (DT)
Brien Taylor, Florida (DT)
Malakai Williams, Boise State (EDGE)

Taylor signed after the tryout, per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill. The former Florida Gator transferred to the SEC powerhouse after two years at Blinn College in Texas, where he developed into a pocket-pusher with pro size at a listed 6-foot-5 and 294 pounds. The Saints needed more depth on the defensive line after losing Bryan Bresee, a starter, and Keeshawn Silver, a rookie free agent, to season-ending injuries. Read more here.

Defensive backs

Glendon Miller, Maryland. A former safety at Maryland, Miller spent more snaps in the slot (737) than anywhere else at the college level before signing with the Kansas City Chiefs as a rookie free agent last spring. He tried out for the Chicago Bears this summer and has spent time in the UFL while drawing attention from the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders.
Wande Owens, New Hampshire. Owens played cornerback at Yale as a college teammate of Saints wideout Mason Tipton, but transferred to New Hamsphire in 2024 and was moved to safety, where he roamed all over the field. He signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2025. He recently worked out for the Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins.
Xavier Williams, Cincinnati. After earning All-Conference USA recognition at Middle Tennessee State, Williams transferred to Cincinnati for his senior year and held his own guarding the middle of the field. He played quarterback as a redshirt freshman at Charlotte before transferring to UCF, where he switched to safety. He continued to see snaps on offense as a two-way player at MTSU in 2024.