The New Orleans Saints focused mostly on the trenches defensively in the NFL Draft by taking defensive tackle Bryan Bresee and edge rusher Isaiah Foskey.

When it came to the Saints' undrafted free agent pool, one player on the second level of the defense is getting some respect from a major outlet. 

Vanderbilt linebacker, Anfernee Orji, who possesses good speed (4.53 in the 40-yard dash) and athleticism (38.5-inch vertical jump, 10'2" in the broad jump) was labeled the UDFA to keep an eye on for the Saints by The Athletic. 

If Orji were a bit bigger or faster, he’d have been drafted. He’s a linebacker only, meaning he’s not long enough to be an edge or play anywhere but out of a stack-LB spot. But he’s good in that stack linebacker role and was huge in helping Clark Lea establish some confidence at Vanderbilt.

Orji saw his game steadying improve at Vanderbilt.

He saw action in five games as a freshman but registered just five tackles. Orji got significant playing time as a sophomore and tallied 66 tackles (1.5 tackles for loss), a sack, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble.

Orji was a tackling machine during his last two collegiate seasons. In 2021, he amassed 93 tackles (13.5 tackles for loss), a sack, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble. Last season, Orji led Vanderbilt in tackles for the second consecutive year with 106 (6.5 tackles for loss) and also put up a sack, an interception, a pass breakup, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. 

Orji scouting report via The Draft Network:

Against the run, Orji appears to be comfortable on the backside of a defense where he has time to diagnose the play away from him and play in pursuit. Orji has good acceleration to ball carriers and shows to be an effective tackler. Orji also showcases his athletic ability when he is on called run blitzes. Orji does a good job timing up the snap and getting past offensive linemen to become disruptive in the backfield and make a tackle on the ball carrier. 

In pass coverage, Orji shows to be an instinctive player who has the opportunity to match up with tight ends and running backs out of the backfield. In man-to-man coverage, Orji has the smooth hip transitions to turn and run with receivers and carry them vertically up the field. In zone defense, Orji does a good job of getting depth and being disruptive. It appears that Orji has a good understanding of route combinations and will jump routes to make a play on the football. 

Orji was a highly productive player for the Commodores, but now he'll have his chance to prove to the Saints he's worthy to be on the roster as rookie minicamps are set to commence soon.