Montana State Star Tommy Mellott Lands New Orleans Saints Practice Squad Deal After Raiders Release

The New Orleans Saints have officially added Tommy Mellott to their practice squad, giving the former Montana State quarterback a fresh start after his brief stint with the Las Vegas Raiders ended abruptly.

The move comes just six days after the Raiders waived the Butte native during final roster cuts, marking a swift turnaround for one of college football's most decorated recent performers.

Mellott earned his NFL opportunity after a spectacular 2024 season that saw him become Montana State's first Walter Payton Award winner as the top offensive player in FCS football.

The Raiders had originally drafted Mellott in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft but were transitioning him from quarterback to wide receiver during training camp.

Las Vegas ultimately decided to move on from the versatile athlete, despite his college success that included completing 68.8 percent of his passes with 29 touchdowns and two interceptions while adding 915 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns.

The Saints' interest in Mellott isn't surprising given their history of utilizing multi-dimensional players like Taysom Hill, who currently sits on the physically unable to perform list recovering from a knee injury.

Mellott was part of an eight-player workout group that tried out for the Saints, alongside other intriguing prospects including former first-round linebacker Jamin Davis.

New Orleans head coach Kellen Moore has built a reputation for maximizing unique talents, making the Saints an ideal landing spot for a player who finished his collegiate career with 3,517 rushing yards and 43 rushing touchdowns over his final four seasons.

The timing works perfectly for both sides, as Hill will miss at least the first four games of the season while on the PUP list.

Mellott's college resume speaks volumes about his potential impact - he helped lead Montana State to a 15-0 regular season and an appearance in the FCS Championship game, though they ultimately fell to North Dakota State.

The Butte product also earned recognition as Walter Camp FCS Player of the Year and FCS ADA National Offensive Player of the Year, cementing his status as one of the most accomplished players in recent FCS history.

Beyond his on-field accomplishments, Mellott maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA in financial engineering at Montana State, earning him the NCAA's Elite 90 Award for highest GPA at the FCS Championship site.

His transition to the professional level represents a significant positional shift, but the Saints have proven track record of developing versatile offensive weapons.

While practice squad signings rarely generate headlines, Mellott's combination of athleticism, intelligence, and proven leadership could make him a candidate for future elevation to the active roster.

The Saints officially announced the signing alongside linebacker Eku Leota, giving New Orleans additional depth and developmental talent as they prepare for the upcoming season.