Mellott lands with Saints

Tommy Mellott, the Montana State standout who was cut by Las Vegas despite being a sixth-round draft pick, is headed to the New Orleans Saints.  

The website nola.com reported that the Saints planned on signing Mellott, a quarterback at MSU who was drafted as a receiver by the Raiders, to their practice squad.   

The NFL Network originally reported the move according to nola.com, and the network’s Tom Pelissero drew the obvious comparison between the Big Sky Conference offensive MVP and current Saint Taysom Hill.   

Hill, listed as a quarterback, tight end and receiver, has been a gadget player for New Orleans for most of his eight seasons. He has 2,437 rushing yards and 943 receiving yards in his NFL career, with a total of 44 touchdowns. The 35-year-old BYU product is currently on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.  

Mellott was cut loose by the Raiders Tuesday. On Wednesday, Las Vegas general manager John Spytek said it was partly a numbers game for the 23-year-old from Butte.  

“Unfortunately this is not a field where there’s a lot of patience,” Spytek said of the reigning Walter Payton Award winner. “I still believe in Tommy, I think he’s got a really bright future and I hope he finds a place with a little more patience.”  

The Saints have one Big Sky player on their 53-man roster: Fourth-year NFL receiver and return man Rashid Shaheed out of Weber State.   

Another Weber State Wildcat, second-year defensive end Jonah Williams, is on the practice squad.  

One other Montana State player, Sebastian Valdez, has stuck in the NFL as a rookie this season. Valdez, who finished his college career with the Washington Huskies, is on the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad. 

Three Montana Grizzlies, rookie return man and receiver Junior Bergen (49ers), offensive lineman Dylan Cook (Pittsburgh Steelers) and linebacker Patrick O’Connell (Seattle Seahawks) are on practice squads.  

Bobcat alum Ty Okada made Seattle’s 53-man roster at safety. Montana State’s  Alex Singleton is back playing linebacker for Denver after missing 14 games in 2024. 

Bobcat great Troy Andersen, a linebacker, remains on Atlanta's PUP list.