New Orleans adds towering presence at inside linebacker in undrafted free agency.
The New Orleans Saints agreed to terms with former Rutgers Scarlet Knights undrafted LB Tyreem Powell on a deal that includes $30,000 guaranteed.
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The 23-year-old spent four years with Rutgers after redshirting in 2020, recording 194 tackles (146 solo), 89 stops, 36 total pressures, six sacks, four passes batted at the line of scrimmage, three forced fumbles, four pass breakups and one interception, according to Pro Football Focus.
After missing the first two games of the 2024 season while recovering from a torn Achilles, he was named a team captain and tallied 58 tackles (47 solo), 24 stops, three passes batted at the line of scrimmage and one forced fumble on 596 defensive snaps for the Scarlet Knights in his 10 starts.
At 6-foot-4 and 239 pounds, Powell has a remarkably large frame and an 82.38-inch wingspan for an inside linebacker. He brings physicality between the tackles, and his wide tackle radius could prove valuable against the run at the next level. However, his lack of speed and fluidity could hurt him on outside runs and leave him vulnerable in zone coverage.
That said, I expect Powell to put up a fight for a roster spot throughout the Saints’ offseason program and could see him having a role on special teams as well, given he had 438 special teams snaps in college.
A dual-threat athlete in high school, the Vineland, New Jersey, native played quarterback and linebacker for Vineland South High School before joining Rutgers’ class of 2020 as a 3-star recruit and making the full-time switch to defense.