TE A.J. Derby 'in tune' with Saints as 2nd preseason game nears

·         

·         BY AMIE JUST | STAFF WRITER 

·         AUG 16, 2019 - 5:21 PM

Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Reshard Cliett (43) attempts to take down New Orleans Saints tight end A.J. Derby (81) during the second half of an NFL pre-season football game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Friday, Aug. 9, 2019. 

STAFF PHOTO BY MAX BECHERER

COSTA MESA, Calif. — One player rising in the Saints’ stock is tight end A.J. Derby.

Derby, an Iowa native who went to Arkansas, joined the team a week into camp on Aug. 7 after a stint with the Miami Dolphins.

Back in 2015, the Saints did NFL Draft prep on Derby, but he was selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round. The Patriots placed him on the injured reserve in August of that year.

“There’s some things he can do in the passing game,” Saints coach Sean Payton said of Derby. “I’d say he’s pretty in tune, too. It’s just establishing a confidence level as to what exactly and what’s the vision for the play.”

Payton added: “We’ve evaluated him before, certainly in the draft process. We’re aware of the player. Now you get a little bit more familiarity. He’s on your own roster. So we’re having a chance to look at him.”

In his three seasons in the league, Derby has 452 yards receiving on 40 catches with three touchdowns.

He had two receptions for 13 yards receiving in the Saints' preseason opener against the Vikings.