Saints Sign Former Ole Miss DT Zxavian Harris, Called a ‘Home Run' Pick Up
The New Orleans Saints came out of the 2026 NFL Draft with a class that checked nearly every box.
Holding the No. 8 overall pick, New Orleans landed wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, an elite playmaker who immediately fills a glaring need alongside Chris Olave and gives young quarterback Tyler Shough another true offensive weapon.
They followed that with defensive tackle Christen Miller in Round 2 and tight end Oscar Delp in Round 3, addressing both the defensive front and adding another versatile pass catcher on offense.
Day 3 added depth and explosiveness, including guard Jeremiah Wright and wideout Bryce Lance, the brother of Chargers quarterback Trey Lance.
The result was a balanced, needs-based class with upside at premium positions, widely viewed as one of the better overall hauls in the draft.
But the Saints may have found their most valuable addition after the draft was over.
On Friday, May 1, New Orleans signed former Ole Miss defensive tackle Zxavian Harris as an undrafted free agent, a player many evaluators viewed as a Day 2–3 talent.
After the signing, ESPN radio host Matt Moscona called it a "home run," pointing to the gap between Harris' talent and where he ultimately landed.
"Every veteran defensive tackle has effectively been put on notice," Moscona said. "The guy on the field is undeniable. The guy off the field raised enough questions to where teams didn’t draft him. They’ve got to be okay with the person. And if they are, the player is undeniable."
"You’re talking about a guy here that should have been a second- or third-round pick in this draft. This is a super high-ceiling player who only went undrafted because of some off-field concerns. And if they figure that out, you struck gold with a UDFA," he added.
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Harris entered the 2026 NFL Draft as one of the most physically intriguing defensive linemen in the class.
He broke out in his final season at Ole Miss, anchoring a defensive front that helped power the program to its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. He finished with 58 total tackles (27 solo), nine tackles for loss, three sacks, and an interception, while ranking sixth in the FBS with 27 run stops.
At 6-foot-8 and roughly 330 pounds, Harris was a true outlier, blending rare size, power, and surprising mobility. Those traits drove his pre-draft stock, with ESPN ranking him No. 63 overall and the No. 5 defensive tackle, firmly placing him in the Day 2 to early Day 3 conversation.
However, Harris' draft slide wasn't about talent. Despite carrying a top-100 grade, multiple teams removed him from their boards due to a pattern of off-field incidents that raised serious red flags.
Harris was arrested in 2023 on charges including DUI, reckless driving, and felony fleeing, then again in 2024 on domestic violence and obstruction charges.
Compounding matters, Harris also dealt with a foot injury that limited his pre-draft process, preventing him from working out at the Combine and Pro Day.
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However, if Harris can stay healthy and avoid any further issues off the field, the Saints may have just landed a bona fide game-changer.
New Orleans defensive tackle room entering 2026 is experienced but far from settled. Veteran Davon Godchaux anchors the nose, while rotational pieces such as Nathan Shepherd, John Ridgeway, and Khristian Boyd fill out a group that lacks a clear long-term centerpiece.
At the same time, second-round rookie Christen Miller was drafted to stabilize the interior, signaling that the position remains a work in progress.
That creates a rare opening as Harris steps into a room where snaps are clearly available.
For the Saints, it's a low-risk swing at a high-upside disruptor who could outperform the entire draft class if everything clicks.
2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 4:26 PM.