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Countdown to Kickoff: Keeshawn Silver is the Saints Player of Day 61
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- Countdown to Kickoff: Keeshawn Silver is the Saints Player of Day 61
Just 61 days separate us from now until the New Orleans Saints regular season opener. The Saints will kick off 2026 with a road showdown at the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sept. 13. Newcomer Keeshawn Silver, a defensive tackle, wears No. 61 as the team closes in on training camp.
An undrafted rookie, Silver is one of several offseason additions New Orleans made at this position. He'll have a tough preseason battle in front of him, but for now he's our latest Saints Player of the Day.
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Name (age): Keeshawn Silver (24)
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Hometown: Rocky Mount, N.C.
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Position: Defensive tackle
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Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 330 pounds
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College: USC Trojans
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Relative Athletic Score: N/A
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Drafted: Undrafted in 2026 (Saints)
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NFL experience: Rookie
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2026 salary cap hit: $893,333
A five-star recruit at Rocky Mount High School, Silver chose the in-state North Carolina Tar Heels over several other offers. He'd see very light action over two seasons, playing only six games and transferring in 2023 to the Kentucky Wildcats . He'd be a much bigger contributor there.
Silver appeared in 24 of a possible 25 contests between 2023 and 2024 for Kentucky. He had 1 sack and 3 tackles for loss among 43 total stops. At the conclusion of the 2024 campaign, Silver entered the transfer portal again. This time, the USC Trojans were his destination. Silver played all 13 games for USC last season, gathering 20 tackles with 2 for loss and 1 sack.
Keeshawn Silver has all the ideal attributes you could want in a defensive lineman. He has good power on a big frame with outstanding wingspan and good agility. He's also shown the versatility to play multiple spots along a defensive front. However, the production has never matched the raw skilled and he needs to play with better leverage and technique. He'll need both to fend off fellow undrafted rookies Zxavian Harris and Jay'Viar Suggs for even a chance at a role with the Saints. New Orleans is looking for more power and production up front though, giving Silver a legitimate shot with a strong preseason.
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Archie Manning takes time to talk to IndyStar's Dana Benbow during a promotional visit to St. Vincent Neighborhood Hospital in Noblesville, Ind., on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019. Manning was born in Drew, Miss., in 1949. His No.18 was the first of only four Ole Miss Jersey's ever retired and he was drafted second overall in the 1971 NFL draft. He played most of his 14 years in the NFL with the Saints and twice made the Pro Bowl. He's received many accolades and is well known for his philanthropic work. Manning was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 1989.
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The actor John Goodman was recognized by the crowd at the official opening of the new John Goodman Amphitheatre at Missouri State University on October 30, 2022.
Goodman Theatre798 Print
(Bruce Stidham special to the News-Leader, Bruce Stidham special to the News-Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK)
1
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These celebrities are the New Orleans Saints' most famous fans
The actor John Goodman was recognized by the crowd at the official opening of the new John Goodman Amphitheatre at Missouri State University on October 30, 2022.
Goodman Theatre798 Print
(Bruce Stidham special to the News-Leader, Bruce Stidham special to the News-Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK)
2
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These celebrities are the New Orleans Saints' most famous fans
Brad Pitt - New Orleans Saints. The actor/producer developed a close friendship with Saints quarterback Drew Brees and narrated the 2009 "America's Game" episode chronicling the Super Bowl XLIV-winning team.
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
3
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These celebrities are the New Orleans Saints' most famous fans
Kay Adams attends the 13th annual NFL Honors at Resorts World Theatre on February 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
4
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These celebrities are the New Orleans Saints' most famous fans
NEW ORLEANS - DECEMBER 03: Jimmy Buffett sings the national anthem before the start of the game between the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers December 3, 2006 at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jimmy Buffett ORG XMIT: 71465444 GTY ID: 65444CG019_San_Francisco
(Getty Images)
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These celebrities are the New Orleans Saints' most famous fans
1. Ellen DeGeneres (1958-) • Notable game shows: Ellen's Game of Games • Years on air as host: 2017-present • Wikipedia page views (2 yr.): 8,646,063 Comedian Ellen DeGeneres has become a fixture on television as a talk-show guest and host, game show host, and producer. DeGeneres has been the host of "Ellen's Game of Games" since 2017. Many of the games on the game show were played on her talk show. She's been the host of her own talk show, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," since 2003. Known for her effusive, fun-loving personality, DeGeneres has also hosted the Academy Awards, the Grammys, and the Emmys. Her public image has taken a beating lately over accusations by former employees that her show has created a "toxic" work environment. ALSO READ: America’s Most Loved TV Personalities
(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)
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These celebrities are the New Orleans Saints' most famous fans
Comedian Theo Von watches the second quarter between Vanderbilt and Georgia State at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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These celebrities are the New Orleans Saints' most famous fans
.
(MMA Junkie)
8
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These celebrities are the New Orleans Saints' most famous fans
Superstar Britney Spears took her sons to Disneyland and posted a photo showing how much her two sons have grown.
(Getty Images)
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These celebrities are the New Orleans Saints' most famous fans
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Master
P visits SiriusXM at SiriusXM Studios on January 15, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
(Theo Wargo, Getty Images)
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These celebrities are the New Orleans Saints' most famous fans
Actor Zac Efron attends NEA's Read Across America Day kickoff with Zac Efron at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on March 2, 2012 in New York City.
(Jason Kempin/Getty Images for NEA)
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These celebrities are the New Orleans Saints' most famous fans
Japan's Naomi Osaka celebrates beating Belarus's Aryna Sabalenka during their women's singles round of 16 tennis match on the seventh day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 5, 2026.
(KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV, AFP via Getty Images)
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These celebrities are the New Orleans Saints' most famous fans
NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 25: Director Spike Lee is interviewed prior to the Monday Night Football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints on September 25, 2006 at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tonight's game marks the first time since Hurricane Katrina struck last August, that the Superdome, which served as a temporary shelter to thousands of stranded victims in the wake of Katrina, has played host to an NFL game. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
13
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These celebrities are the New Orleans Saints' most famous fans
US Actress Hillary Swank is pictured arriving to the Golden Globes Awards in Beverly Hills.
(Susan Goldman, AFP/Getty Images)
14
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These celebrities are the New Orleans Saints' most famous fans
Aaron Neville performs at the American Visionary: John F. Kennedy's Life and Times debut gala at the Smithsonian American Art Museum on May 2, 2017, in Washington, DC.
(Paul Morigi, Getty Images for WS Productions)
15
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These celebrities are the New Orleans Saints' most famous fans
Wendell Pierce attends the European premiere of Marvel Studios' ''Thunderbolts*" in London, Britain, April 22, 2025. REUTERS/Chris J. Ratcliffe
(Chris J Ratcliffe, REUTERS)
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These celebrities are the New Orleans Saints' most famous fans
Joe Dumars
(Provided by Independent Sports & Entertainment)
17
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These celebrities are the New Orleans Saints' most famous fans
Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon, left, talks with Reggie Wayne, wide receivers coach for the Colts before an NFL football game at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla.
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)
18
/21
These celebrities are the New Orleans Saints' most famous fans
American rapper Birdman looks on prior to a game between the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game at Levi's Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Santa Clara, California.
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)
19
/21
These celebrities are the New Orleans Saints' most famous fans
Pop-Country singer Kenny Chesney and his band perform for a large crowd at the Germain Amphitheater Thursday evening June 7, 2007.
(James D. DeCamp/Columbus Dispatch)
20
/21
These celebrities are the New Orleans Saints' most famous fans
Jan 5, 2025; Beverly Hills, CA, USA; Anthony Mackie at the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Dan MacMedan-USA TODAY
(Dan MacMedan, Dan MacMedan-USA TODAY)
21
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These celebrities are the New Orleans Saints' most famous fans
Archie Manning takes time to talk to IndyStar's Dana Benbow during a promotional visit to St. Vincent Neighborhood Hospital in Noblesville, Ind., on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019. Manning was born in Drew, Miss., in 1949. His No.18 was the first of only four Ole Miss Jersey's ever retired and he was drafted second overall in the 1971 NFL draft. He played most of his 14 years in the NFL with the Saints and twice made the Pro Bowl. He's received many accolades and is well known for his philanthropic work. Manning was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 1989.
(Matt Kryger/IndyStar)
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: Keeshawn Silver is the Saints Player of Day 61
