NFL CAREER – Entering his fourth professional season, Richards was originally selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round (169th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft before being acquired by New Orleans in a trade at the conclusion of the 2025 preseason for a 2028 sixth-round pick. In three seasons, he has played in 36 games with five starts for the Cowboys (2023-24) and Saints (2025), providing valuable depth at both tackle positions. In 2025, Richards played in 15 games with four starts at right tackle for the Black and Gold. Richards will continue to provide solid depth at both tackle positions for the Saints offense in 2026.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Acquired by the New Orleans Saints from the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2028 sixth-round pick, 08/26/25; Activated off Injured Reserve by Dallas, 12/28/24; Placed on Injured Reserve by Dallas (ankle), 11/27/24; Signed to a four year contract by the Cowboys, 5/12/23; Selected in the fifth round (169th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Cowboys.
2025 – Appeared in 15 games with four starts in his first season with the Black and Gold, providing key depth at tackle…Made his Saints debut rotating in at tackle in the jumbo package and played on special teams vs. Arizona, Sept. 7…Played on special teams vs. San Francisco, Sept. 14…Made his first start as a Saint at RT and played on special teams at Seattle, Sept. 21…Played on special teams at Buffalo, Sept. 28…Played on special teams vs. New York Giants, Oct. 5…Rotated in at LT and played on special teams vs. New England, Oct. 12…Played on special teams at Chicago, Oct. 19…Played on special teams vs. Tampa Bay, Oct. 26…Rotated in at RT and played on special teams at Los Angeles Rams, Nov. 2…Started at RT and played on special teams, blocking for an offense that gained 388 net yards at Carolina, Nov. 9…Started at RT and played on special teams vs. Atlanta, Nov. 23…Started at RT and played on special teams at Tampa Bay, Dec. 7... Inactive for Week 15 and 16 due to an ankle injury…Rotated in at T in the jumbo package and played on special teams at Tennessee, Dec. 28…Rotated in at LT and played on special teams in the season finale at Atlanta, 1/4/26. 2024 – Saw action in 13 games for Dallas, making one start at left tackle…Missed four games due to a high-ankle sprain…Made his first NFL start against Philadelphia, Nov. 10…Saw significant time at left tackle in the season finale against Washington, 1/5/25, blocking for an offense that totaled 378 net yards with 150 yards on the ground. 2023 – Played in eight games as a rookie on offense and special teams…Made his NFL debut in the second half on offense in the season opener at the New York Giants.
COLLEGE – A four-year letterman for UNC on offensive line (2019-22)…Appeared in 48 games with 38 starts for the Tarheels and consistently blocked for offenses that ranked in the top three in the ACC in average yards-per-game…In 2020, the Tar Heels set a school record, ranking first in the ACC and fifth in the nation, by averaging 537.3 yards per game, including 301.4 passing yards per game…Also ranked second in the ACC in air yards in both 2022 and 2019, ranked third in the ACC in 2021.
PERSONAL – Prepped at Haverford high school (Havertown, Pa.) and was a two-sport athlete, playing football and basketball…Named to All-USA Pennsylvania first-team as a senior tackle in 2018…Also played tight end and on the defensive line, posting 133 tackles, 13.0 sacks, 31 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in four years…Born on Oct. 2, 2000, in Philadelphia, Pa.
