Saints waive rookie quarterback Hunter Dekkers, sign a third punter for training camp

The New Orleans Saints will continue tinkering with their roster until the season begins (and even a little bit after that). The latest move brings in more special teams competition.

After trying out a pair of free agents punters this week, the Saints have signed rookie Kai Kroeger and released rookie passer Hunter Dekkers, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. It was a long shot for Dekkers to make the squad as an undrafted free agent out of a JUCO school. Perhaps he can find his way back to the practice squad at a later date.

Kroeger is an undrafted free agent from the South Carolina Gamecocks, where he was college teammates with Spencer Rattler, but he does have a shot at making the team if he performs well. He was originally picked up by the New York Jets but was later waived. The 23-year-old had an up-and-down college career. He was named an All-American during 2022 and 2024, but left plenty to be desired in 2023. During his last season, he averaged a career-high 47.8 yards per punt and landed 18 of 47 inside the 20. He was an ace at fake punts in college, completing 7-of-10 passes in his career for 205 yards and three touchdowns.

He will join Matthew Hayball and James Burnip in the kicking competition. Hayball had his moments last year, but was inconsistent. Burnip was an undrafted pickup this year out of the Alabama Crimson Tide.