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Saints bring in a crowd of free agents for tryouts

Dec 19, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; A detail view of New Orleans Saints helmets against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; A detail view of New Orleans Saints helmets against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Saints brought in a small crowd of free agents for tryouts on Tuesday, per NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill. We're nearing the end of training camp so it'll be hard for these guys to claim a final roster spot. Joejuan Williams is the only one to sign so far and we'll see if others stick.

Looking at it position by position it's clear they're aiming to bolster depth at linebacker, tight end and in the secondary. Here's a quick summary on each of the free agents who tried out on Aug. 20:

TE Stephen Anderson

Michael Chow-USA TODAY Sports
Michael Chow-USA TODAY Sports

Anderson, 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, was picked up by the Houston Texans in 2016 as an undrafted free agent. His best year was his second season where he totaled 342 receiving yard with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he spent the most time in the NFL so far.

Relative Athletic Score: 8.29

LB Isaac Darkangelo

Nov 12, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Isaac Darkangelo (38) races after a Purdue Boilermakers touchdown during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Isaac Darkangelo (38) races after a Purdue Boilermakers touchdown during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Darkangelo, 6-foot-0 and 227 pounds, wasn't drafted out of Illinois in 2023. His most recent destination was in the CFL. Darkangelo signed with the Toronto Argos in May. Prior to that, he had stints with the Detroit Lions and Las Vegas Raiders.

Relative Athletic Score: 7.16

LB Andrew Dowell

November 27, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Andrew Dowell (50) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 27, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Andrew Dowell (50) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Here's a familiar face. Dowell, 5-foot-11 and 225 pounds, spent three years with the Saints from 2020 to 2022 after turning pro out of Michigan State. The linebacker was primarily a special teams player. Being a known commodity with instant value on punts and kickoffs could help Dowell get signed and possibly make the practice squad

Relative Athletic Score: 6.05

DB Steven Jones

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Jones, 5-foot-10 and 188 pounds, was recruited to Appalachian State with current Saints cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles and linebacker D'Marco Jackson. Jones played an extra year in college, but they spent five years together in college. Jones is a former All-American cornerback.

Relative Athletic Score: 4.51

DB D'Angelo Mandell

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Mandell, 6-foot-1 and 192 pounds, made his rounds in the NFC South. The former undrafted free agent spent the 2023 preseason with the Dallas Cowboys. He then tried out with the New York Giants and Washington Commanders. He joined the Commanders practice squad at the end of the season to bolster their depth chart at cornerback.

Relative Athletic Score: 2.75 (unofficial)

TE Geoff Swaim

Dec 3, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Geoff Swaim (87) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Geoff Swaim (87) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Swaim, 6-foot-4 and 252 pounds, has been in the league for a while. He's likely best known for his time by most for his time with the Dallas Cowboys. Swaim passed the 200 receiving yard threshold twice in his career. Once in 2018 with Dallas and then in 2021 with the Tennessee Titans.

Relative Athletic Score: 7.62

DB Joejuan Williams

Aug 11, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Joejuan Williams (33) walks onto the field before a preseason game against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Joejuan Williams (33) walks onto the field before a preseason game against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Williams, 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds, was the first tryout player to sign with the Saints on Tuesday. Read more on the signing.

Relative Athletic Score: 8.08

LB Josh Woods

Oct 22, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) jumps over Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Woods (10) to get a first down during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) jumps over Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Woods (10) to get a first down during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The Maryland safety-turned-linebacker spent the last season with the Arizona Cardinals. He had a decent year, registering 61 tackles in just 10 games. This was easily his best season as he doubled his career tackle total. Woods has bulked up to 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds after changing positions in the NFL.

Relative Athletic Score: 2.00 (unofficial)

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints bring in a crowd of free agents for tryouts