The New Orleans Saints are making the most of All-Star season, sending a strong contingent of nine coaches to work the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl - a move that gives them a front-row seat to some of the top talent in the upcoming NFL Draft.
At the heart of it all is running backs coach Joel Thomas, who’s serving as the head coach of the American team at the Senior Bowl. He’s joined by quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien as offensive coordinator and linebackers coach Peter Sermon leading the defense. That trio alone gives New Orleans a direct hand in shaping the week’s practices, game plans, and perhaps most importantly, player evaluations.
But they’re not the only ones. The Saints have six more staffers sprinkled across the two showcase events, giving the organization a rare level of access to prospects on and off the field. It’s not just about watching tape - it’s about seeing how these players respond to coaching, how they prepare, how they compete, and how they carry themselves in a professional environment.
Executive VP and GM Mickey Loomis acknowledged just how valuable this opportunity is.
“The league asks teams to submit names for coaches who’d like to work these games,” Loomis explained. “Usually, you’re lucky if one or two get picked.
We had nine. That’s a big deal.”
And it is. This isn’t just about scouting - it’s about development. Loomis pointed out that these assignments help the Saints in two key areas: they give the coaching staff real reps in leadership roles, and they give the personnel department more detailed, firsthand insights into the players they may be drafting in a few months.
That level of involvement isn’t new for New Orleans. The organization has long prioritized the Senior Bowl as a key part of their draft process. Last year, seven of their nine draft picks played in the game - a clear sign the Saints put serious stock in what happens in Mobile.
With the American team wrapping up its second practice on Thursday, the Saints’ staff is getting a closer look at how these prospects perform when the pads come on. And with their own coaches calling the shots, they’re not just watching - they’re shaping the experience.
For a team always looking to reload rather than rebuild, this kind of hands-on scouting could be the edge that helps them find the next hidden gem.