The Saints went straight to the waiver wire on Monday, picking up offensive tackle Mason Murphy and defensive tackle Colby Wooden. That’s a double-dip for their lines, hitting both offense and defense with these new guys and making a clear statement about shoring up depth as the regular season rolls on.
Murphy’s Undrafted Hustle Lands Him a Spot
Mason Murphy’s journey to the Saints is a testament to grinding it out. This guy went undrafted straight out of college this year, and you know how tough that road is for rookies trying to stick with a team. He first signed with the Bears, battling to make their roster, but now his path leads him to New Orleans. What’s wild is Murphy isn’t some fresh-faced newbie when it comes to game reps. Last year, he was a key piece on Auburn’s offensive line, starting games at both right tackle and center. Talk about versatility! And that’s not all; he actually racked up an impressive 22 starts during his four seasons at USC. This isn’t a flyer on an unknown; the Saints are bringing in a lineman with a ton of college experience who knows what it means to be on the field, even if he’s had to fight for his spot every step of the way. He’s got that chip on his shoulder, ready to prove he belongs.
Colby Wooden’s Wild Ride Through The League
Then we’ve got Colby Wooden, and honestly, his last year or so has been an absolute whirlwind. Remember him? He was a fourth-round pick for the Green Bay Packers back in 2023, showing he had real NFL potential right out of the gate. And he delivered for Green Bay, starting a significant 16 games for them just last year! That’s almost an entire season as a starter for an NFL team, which is huge for a young player still finding his way. But then, the NFL carousel started spinning hard. In March, the Packers traded him to the Indianapolis Colts for linebacker Zaire Franklin. You think, “Okay, new team, new opportunity.” Except it didn’t quite work out. Wooden somehow didn’t make it through cutdown day with the Colts, which is just insane for a guy who started 16 games the year before. Now, after all that, the Saints are scooping him up off waivers. It’s a second chance, maybe a third, for a player who clearly has the talent and experience, but needed the right fit. The Saints are betting he can recapture that starting form.
The Saints clearly made these moves to bolster their lines, picking up experienced college talent in Murphy and a former NFL starter in Wooden. It’s a definite statement that they are serious about adding depth on both sides of the ball. For teams in the NFC South, watching how these two integrate into the New Orleans system will be a key storyline as the regular season heats up. Keep an eye on these guys; they’ve both got plenty to prove.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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