Saints Acquire TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden, Waive RB Velus Jones Jr.
The New Orleans Saints announced Friday that they have claimed tight end Zaire Mitchell‑Paden off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens and, in a corresponding move, waived running back Velus Jones Jr.
Mitchell-Paden: A Fresh Opportunity
Mitchell-Paden, a 6-foot-5, 257-pound tight end out of Florida Atlantic University, originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022 with the Cleveland Browns.
He spent his first years on the Browns’ practice squad before joining Baltimore’s practice squad in 2024. During the 2025 season with the Ravens, Mitchell-Paden appeared in six games (one start) and caught one pass for three yards.
At Notre Dame College and Florida Atlantic, he appeared in 53 games (44 starts) and recorded 98 receptions for 1,295 yards and 11 touchdowns.
His acquisition gives the Saints added depth at tight end behind names such as Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, Taysom Hill and Jack Stoll.
Given his background as a blocker and his size, the Saints may look to deploy him in more physical formations, especially if they choose to emphasize two-tight-end or jumbo packages.
Jones Jr.: A Departure in the Backfield & Return Game
Velus Jones Jr. — 6-foot, 200-pound — joined the Saints earlier this year after signing a one-year contract as a free agent.
Originally drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears out of the University of Tennessee, he had primarily contributed as a kickoff returner (1,061 yards on 40 returns, a 26.5-yard average) and seen limited work on offense (20 carries for 165 yards and one rushing touchdown).
With New Orleans this season, Jones appeared in five games on the active roster and collected 183 kickoff-return yards on eight returns before being waived October 24.
While he may re-sign to the practice squad or be picked up elsewhere, this move signals the Saints are looking to free up a roster spot and possibly recalibrate their special-teams and backfield depth.
What It Means for the Saints
This roster tweak reflects several priorities for New Orleans:
Tight End Depth: With Mitchell-Paden now onboard, the Saints bolster their TE room and gain a player with developmental upside in both receiving and blocking.
Roster Optimization: Waiving Jones clears a spot and shows the team may be placing less emphasis on his role as a kick returner or that they prefer alternatives in that department.
Flexibility & Matchups: In an era where offensive versatility is crucial, adding a larger tight end gives the Saints more scheme options — whether for red-zone sets, play-action looks, or heavier packages.
Special Teams & RB Room Reshuffle: The decision also hints that the Saints may pivot in how they handle kick-return duties and how they structure their running-back rotation.
Head coach Dennis Allen and general manager Mickey Loomis clearly view Mitchell-Paden as someone who can rise in the TE hierarchy, while Jones’ departure suggests he was no longer deemed essential to the club’s immediate plan.
For fans and fantasy football followers, Mitchell-Paden offers a low-profile pick with upside, whereas Jones’ roster status now becomes uncertain.
Looking Ahead
The Saints added Mitchell-Paden just as they gear up for the heart of the 2025 season. Monitoring how quickly he integrates into the offense — and how often he is used in game-day rotations — will be key. Conversely, Jones’ next step could come via a return to the practice squad or a new team in need of special-teams depth.
In short: New Orleans is placing a modest but meaningful bet on Mitchell-Paden’s development and shifting away from Jones in their current roster calculus.