Countdown to Kickoff: Zach Wood is the Saints Player of Day 49

There are just 49 days left until the New Orleans Saints 2026 regular season opener. New Orleans treks north to start the year, playing at the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sept. 13. Wearing No. 49 for the Saints is long snapper Zach Wood, and underrated but greatly appreciated member of the special teams. Wood's position is typically overlooked by the average fan and most media, but he is certainly valued by the team. We show our appreciation for Zach Wood now as our Saints Player of the Day.

Name (age): Zach Wood (33) • >Hometown: Rowlett, Texas • >Position: Long snapper • >Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 255 pounds • >College: SMU Mustangs • >Relative Athletic Score: 0.83 • >Drafted: Undrafted in 2016 (Dallas Cowboys) • >NFL experience: 9 years • >2026 salary cap hit: $1.6 millionAt Rowlett High School in Texas, Wood was an honorable mention all-state defensive tackle before committing to Southern Methodist University. As a defensive end in a 3-4 front for the Mustangs, Wood started 33 contests over his last three seasons. He gathered 8.5 sacks and forced 2 fumbles while also blocking 4 kicks and serving as the team's long snapper.

>After not being selected in the 2016 NFL draft, Wood was signed to an undrafted deal by the Dallas Cowboys. He didn't make the Dallas roster as a defensive lineman, but was brought back the following offseason on a reserve/future contract as a long snapper. Wood was again cut by the Cowboys at the conclusion of the preseason. This time, he was picked up by Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints.

>Wood won the long snapper job with New Orleans after a free agent tryout; the Saints had brought in multiple snappers for a lengthy training camp competition and traded for a veteran who underwent emergency heart surgery after his physical, forcing them to pivot to Wood at the last minute. He'd remain in that role for the last 149 consecutive games, second-most among active players behind Cameron Jordan (243). Wood has been one of the league's most consistent players at his often overlooked position. In 2022, he earned second team All-Pro recognition from Pro Football Focus. After a series of one-year contracts, New Orleans awarded him for his consistently with a four-year deal in 2023. The Saints have struggled on special teams for the last two years, with the team making it an offseason focus. One position that remained untouched is long snapper, where Zach Wood remains a model of consistency.

>This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: Zach Wood is the Saints Player of Day 49