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Former Rutgers wide receiver Brandon Coleman signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent.

(John O'Boyle/The Star-Ledger)

Rutgers wide receiver Brandon Coleman surprisingly didn't get picked in the NFL Draft. But he didn't have to wait long to find an NFL home, signing with the Saints as a free agent shortly after the draft ended, according to a source.

Coleman, who left after his junior season, was projected as a mid-round pick. But his name wasn't one of the 256 called during the seven-round draft.

Coleman visited the Saints during the pre-draft process. He joins the NFC's best passing offense, led by quarterback Drew Brees.

New Orleans drafted Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks in the first round. Coleman will fight to earn a role in a talented receiving corps, led by tight end Jimmy Graham and wide receiver Marques Colston.

Despite earning a third round grade from the NFL Draft Advisory Board, Coleman remained in school after a breakout redshirt sophomore season in 2012 when he caught 43 passes for 718 yards and 10 touchdowns.

It was expected that Coleman would improve his draft stock with a bigger junior season, but he tore the meniscus in his right knee last spring. The injury slowed him during his junior season, and he finished with 34 catches for 538 yards and four touchdowns.

Coleman announced before Rutgers' bowl game that he would forego his final season of eligibility to enter the NFL Draft. He didn't request a draft grade because he felt it was unnecessary.

Coleman was widely projected as a mid-round pick by analysts. The 6-foot-6, 225-pounder ran a 4.56-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine in February. He believed that performance would erase any lingering doubts about his health.

After the combine, Coleman trained with Ivan Candelaria at Raritan Physical Therapy in Edison. Candelaria said Coleman's stock shouldn't have been impacted by health concerns.

"He is as healthy as any athlete I have had post-surgically," said Candelaria, who has trained former Rutgers star receiver Mohamed Sanu for years. "He is sprinting faster than ever."

No Rutgers players were picked in the draft. Linebacker Jamal Merrell told NJ.com that he has signed with the Tennessee Titans. Wide receiver Quron Pratt signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to The Trentonian.

A handful of other Rutgers players should earn invites to rookie mini-camps, which take place next week.