Matthew Hayball, a punter at Vanderbilt, was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent.
During previous season’s training camp, New Orleans cut Blake Gilikin, giving Australian punter Lou Hedley the starting position. As the team’s lone punter, Hedley had a difficult 2023 season, finishing 33rd in yards per punt, raising concerns about his security.
Hayball had some draft excitement and projections despite not being selected. In 2023, he punted 47.6 yards on average, and most of those yards came in the air as opposed to after. The main criticism leveled against Hayball is the short hang time on his punts.
Hayball will have a good chance of starting if he can demonstrate his abilities during training camp.
