Blake Gillikin - Pro Football Rumors

Saints Add OL Storm Norton, Re-Sign P Blake Gillikin

March 16th, 2023 at 6:50pm CST by Ben Levine

The Saints have added some depth on the offensive line. Storm Norton is signing a one-year deal with New Orleans, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (via Twitter).

The 2017 undrafted free agent out of Toledo bounced between the Lions, Cardinals, and Vikings (plus a brief stint in the XFL) before finding a home in Los Angeles in 2020. After starting three of his six appearances in 2020, Norton started 15 of his 17 appearances in 2021.

He didn’t start any of his 12 performances this past year, and Pro Football Focus would have graded him as one of the league’s worst offensive tackles had he qualified. However, the site was a bit more bullish on his production in 2020 and 2021.

The Saints may return much of their offensive line depth in 2022, with Norton representing their first move on that unit. Ethan Greenidge, who appeared in 15 games for the Saints back in 2020, is the team’s lone OL free agent.

The Saints weren’t done making moves today. Nick Underhill tweets that the team has re-signed punter Blake Gillikin. The Penn State product joined the Saints in 2020 but didn’t see the field for the team until 2021. He’s appeared in all 34 games for New Orleans over the past two years, averaging 47 yards on his punts. Gillikin has also landed 61 of his 160 punts inside the 20 yard line.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/9/20

September 9th, 2020 at 5:55pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

Los Angeles Rams

Signed: RB Raymond Calais
Placed on non-football injury list: DE Terrell Lewis

New Orleans Saints

Placed on injured reserve: P Blake Gillikin

Saints Sign 13 UDFAs

April 27th, 2020 at 8:10pm CST by Ben Levine

After adding only four rookies via the draft, the Saints compensated today by signing 13 undrafted free agents. The organization formally announced the following signings:

Joe Bachie, LB (Michigan State)
Marquez Callaway, WR (Tennessee)
Gus Cumberlander, DL (Oregon)
Tino Ellis, CB (Maryland)
Blake Gillikin, P (Penn State)
Juwan Johnson, WR (Oregon)
Tony Jones Jr., RB (Notre Dame)
Adrian Magee, OL (Louisiana State)
Darrin Paulo, OT (Utah)
Malcolm Roach, DL (Texas)
Jordan Steckler, G/C (Northern Illinois)
Calvin Throckmorton, OL (Oregon)
Keith Washington Jr., CB (West Virginia)

After drafting Michigan center Cesar Ruiz in the first round of the draft, the team made their largest undrafted-free-agent investment in an offensive lineman. Nick Underhill of The Athletic tweets that Oregon’s Calvin Throckmorton will earn $110K in guaranteed money and a $12.5K signing bonus. The team also gave $90K in guaranteed money to Jordan Steckler (per Underhill on Twitter).

On the defensive side of the ball, Texas defensive lineman Malcolm Roach will earn $95K in guaranteed money (via Underhill on Twitter). The versatile defender finished his collegiate career with nine tackles-for-loss and three sacks in 2019.