Carl Granderson

Saints’ Carl Granderson Sentenced To Jail

Saints rookie defensive end Carl Granderson has been sentenced to six months in jail, according to The Casper Star-Tribune. Initially, Granderson was set to serve a year of probation, but a Wyoming judge went against the plea deal reached by prosecutors and Granderson’s attorney. 

The Saints signed Granderson as an undrafted free agent despite his pending trial, but this sentence will completely rule him out for the 2019 season. It’s likely that Granderson will be released soon, with another player replacing him on the 90-man roster.

The Wyoming product is a talented player who almost certainly would’ve been drafted if not for his legal situation. Many analysts gave Granderson a mid-round grade and the Saints gave him a hefty $85K to sign this offseason.

Saints Sign 14 UDFAs

The Saints became the latest team to announce their undrafted free agent class, inking 14 players. A couple received notable signing bonuses:

  • Carl Granderson, DE (Wyoming) ($15,000 signing bonus, $70,000 base salary guaranteed, per Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com. )
  • Ethan Greenidge, OT (Villanova) ($7,500 signing bonus, $30,000 base salary guaranteed, per Katzenstein)
  • Nick Moore, LS (Georgia)
  • Porter Gustin, LB/DE (USC
  • Lil’Jordan Humphrey, WR (Texas)
  • Derrick Kelly, OT (Florida State)
  • Darnell Holland, RB (Kennesaw State)
  • Jake Powell, TE (Monmouth)
  • Darrell Williams, LB (Auburn)
  • Emmanuel Butler, WR (Northern Arizona)
  • Chase Hansen, LB (Utah)
  • Mike Herndon, OG (Pittsburgh)
  • Corbin Kaufusi, DE (BYU)
  • Darius Williams, DB (Colorado State-Pueblo)

New Orleans gave Granderson, the Wyoming pass-rusher, a hefty sum of $85K guaranteed. Granderson is a talented player who almost certainly would’ve been drafted if not for his ongoing legal situation. Many analysts gave Granderson a mid-round grade, but he’s facing a July trial on sexual assault charges. Granderson has denied the charges, and it will be a situation worth monitoring this summer.

Greenidge also got significant guarantees, and the Saints could view him as a good longterm developmental option on the offensive line. Gustin was another player many thought had a chance to be drafted, and he was productive in college. In just six games at USC last season, he had 7.5 sacks. He’s struggled with injuries each of the past two seasons, but if he can stay healthy he should have a good shot at making the team.

The Saints sometimes struggled for consistent receiving options behind Michael Thomas last year, and Humphrey had 1,176 yards and nine touchdowns for Texas last season, so he could be worth a look.