Zaire Mitchell-Paden Bio
Zaire Mitchell-Paden (born August 20, 1999) is an American professional football tight end for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and listed at 117 kilograms, he plays as a blocking tight end with pass-catching upside. He has spent his career moving between active rosters and practice squads across three NFL franchises since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
Early Life and Background
Zaire Mitchell-Paden was born and raised in Rockville, Maryland, where he attended Richard Montgomery High School. At Richard Montgomery he lettered in both football and basketball, developing the combination of size, coordination, and athleticism that would later attract college recruiters. The Washington, D.C. area football scene provided him with regular high-level competition during his formative years.
Coming out of high school, Mitchell-Paden was regarded as a multi-sport prospect with room to grow as a football player. His frame and willingness to do the dirty work as a blocker set him apart from many of his peers. Those traits, combined with steady hands as a receiver, opened the door to a college opportunity.
Path to American Football
Mitchell-Paden began his college career at Notre Dame College, a smaller program where he was able to log significant playing time early. During his true freshman season in 2017, he appeared in 10 games and contributed two receptions for 16 yards, four kick returns for 26 yards, and two tackles on special teams. The experience allowed him to adjust to the speed and physicality of college football while refining his route tree.
By his sophomore season in 2018, Mitchell-Paden had become a featured piece of the Notre Dame College offense. He started all 14 games and finished the year with 32 catches for 435 yards and four touchdowns, adding a blocked punt and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown. In 2019 he produced his most productive season at the school, hauling in 53 passes for 573 yards and six touchdowns across 13 games. During the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, he appeared in all five games and recorded 14 receptions for 182 yards.
On April 22, 2021, Mitchell-Paden announced that he would transfer to Florida Atlantic to test himself at the Football Bowl Subdivision level. During the 2021 season he played in 12 games for the Owls, finishing with nine catches for 90 yards and a touchdown as he adjusted to a faster, more physical conference schedule.
Zaire Mitchell-Paden Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
On April 30, 2022, Zaire Mitchell-Paden was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent after going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft. He was assigned to the Browns practice squad on August 31, 2022, and signed a reserve/futures contract on January 9, 2023. His first two professional seasons were spent developing on the practice squad while learning the Browns’ offensive system.
In 2023, Mitchell-Paden continued to bounce between the practice squad and the active roster. He was waived on August 29, 2023, then resigned to the practice squad two days later. On September 30, 2023, he was elevated to the active roster before being returned to the practice squad two days afterward. He signed another reserve/futures contract on January 15, 2024, and was waived by the Browns on August 27, 2024.
Baltimore Ravens Breakthrough (2024–2025)
On September 16, 2024, Mitchell-Paden was signed to the Baltimore Ravens practice squad, giving him a fresh start in the AFC North. He signed a reserve/futures contract on January 21, 2025, to remain in Baltimore through the offseason. The Ravens saw him as a developmental blocking tight end with special teams value.
On August 26, 2025, Mitchell-Paden was waived by the Ravens as part of final roster cuts, then re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He was elevated to the active roster in time for the Week 1 Sunday Night Football opener against the Buffalo Bills, where he logged 15 snaps and helped spring a Derrick Henry touchdown run with a key block. He was signed to the active roster on September 27, 2025, before being waived on October 23, 2025.
New Orleans Saints Era (2025–Present)
On October 24, 2025, Zaire Mitchell-Paden was claimed off waivers by the New Orleans Saints, marking his third NFL team. The Saints added him as a depth tight end with special teams experience. His arrival in New Orleans gave him a new opportunity to carve out a roster spot late in the season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Mitchell-Paden is best known for his work as a blocking tight end, using his 6-foot-5 frame and 117-kilogram build to displace defenders at the point of attack. He shows reliable hands as a short-area receiver, while also contributing on special teams as a kick returner and tackler. His practice-squad background has made him a fast study in meeting rooms and a willing role player on offense.
Notable Events and Milestones
Mitchell-Paden’s first NFL appearance came in the primetime Week 1 matchup against the Buffalo Bills in 2025, where his blocking helped set up a Derrick Henry rushing score. He also produced a memorable college moment at Notre Dame College with a blocked punt returned for a touchdown during the 2018 season.
Zaire Mitchell-Paden Career Wins
Zaire Mitchell-Paden has notched a steady climb through professional football since going undrafted in 2022, reaching the active roster of three different NFL franchises within three seasons. While he has not been credited with any individual statistical championships, his consistent movement between practice squads and active rosters reflects sustained evaluation by multiple NFL teams.
Other Wins and Performances
His most productive single season came at Notre Dame College in 2019, when he posted 53 receptions for 573 yards and six touchdowns. That campaign cemented his status as a college standout and paved the way for his transfer to Florida Atlantic in 2021.
Zaire Mitchell-Paden Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Zaire Mitchell-Paden’s parents and immediate family has not been widely reported.
Personal Life
Mitchell-Paden keeps his personal life largely private. He has not publicly disclosed a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Mitchell-Paden on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad before he was elevated for the Week 1 Sunday Night Football opener against the Buffalo Bills. His 15-snap debut, including a block that helped Derrick Henry find the end zone, gave the Ravens a glimpse of his potential as an in-line tight end. He was signed to the active roster on September 27, 2025.
His tenure in Baltimore ended on October 23, 2025, when he was waived as the team reshaped its roster. The very next day, on October 24, 2025, the New Orleans Saints claimed him off waivers, adding tight end depth and special teams experience for the second half of the season. Joining a Saints offense in need of physical blockers gave Mitchell-Paden an immediate opportunity to contribute.
Looking forward, Mitchell-Paden’s role in New Orleans will likely center on in-line blocking, short-yardage receiving, and core special teams duty. A strong finish in 2025 could put him in position to compete for a longer-term role with the Saints or another NFL club in 2026.