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The New Orleans Saints announced their 17-man college free agent class earlier this week. As usual, the group is a hodgepodge collection of talent, but annually seemingly one or more of these relatively obscure prospects finds his way on to the final 53-man roster in the fall.

Which prospect will come out of nowhere to make the Saints this year? Judging by the NFLDraftScout.com ratings, center Matt Armstrong, wide receiver Brandon Coleman, outside linebacker Chidera Uzo-Diribe, defensive end George Uko and safeties Pierre Warren and Ty Zimmerman seem to have the best chance to make the Saints' final roster.

There's a common theme to many of the prospects. Many are from small schools. A handful were team captains. Some were early-entrants, bypassing their senior collegiate seasons, meaning they have developmental potential. Others are coming off injuries which handicapped them during their final seasons.

After days of research, here's an in-depth look at each prospect, as they prepare for this weekend's rookie mini-camp at the Saints' training facility in Metairie.

Matt Armstrong, OL, Grand Valley State, 6-2, 302: Rated 11th out of 52 center prospects by NFLDraftScout.com. ... Carried a 7th round-free agent grade. ... Played at Lansing Sexton High School with fellow college free agent, Micajah Reynolds, a defensive tackle from Michigan State. ... Received offers from only Grand Valley State and Michigan Tech because he was 5-foot-11 as a senior. ... Played alongside current Saints offensive lineman Tim Lelito and Jaguars tackle Cameron Bradfield at Grand Valley. ... Armstrong started at center while Lelito started at left guard. ... Saints' running back coach Dan Roushar served as a mentor to George Barnett, who was the offensive line coach at Grand Valley State in Lelito's sophomore season and Armstrong's freshman season. ... Started at least one game at every position on the offensive line. ... Coming off shoulder and hamstring injuries. ... The 2013 Division II Rimington Trophy winner was also named the GLIAC Offensive Lineman of the Year and a finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award while serving as a key contributor to Grand Valley's 12-3 record. ... Also threw the shot put at Grand Valley. ... Appeared in 51 games, mostly at center, in four years with the Lakers, starting at least one contest in each spot along the offensive line. ... Four-time All-GLIAC honoree helped pave the way for an offense that totaled 6,469 yards, averaged 6.8 yards per play and scored 525 points in 2013.

Brandon Coleman, WR, Rutgers, 6-6, 225: Rated 23rd out of 325 wide receiver prospects by NFLDraftScout.com. ... Carried a 4th-5th-round grade by NFLDraftScout.com. ... Coleman started 27-of-39 games at Rutgers and caught 94 passes for 1,808 yards (19.2 avg.) and 20 touchdowns, tying the Scarlet Knights' school record for scoring grabs. In 2013, he finished second on the team in receiving with 34 grabs for 538 yards (15.8 avg.) with four touchdowns, as 12 of his grabs were for 20 yards or longer. In 2012, he was a second-team All-Big East Conference choice as he made 43 receptions for 718 yards (16.7 avg.) and tied the school record with 10 touchdown grabs.

Brian Dixon, CB, Northwest Missouri State, 6-0, 195: Rated 51st out of 220 cornerback prospects by NFLDraftScout.com. ... Carried a 7th-round free agent grade by NFLDraftScout.com. ... Clocked a time of 4.36 seconds in the 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, faster than any cornerback at the NFL Scouting Combine. ... Brother of Brandon Dixon, who was a sixth round draft pick of the New York Jets. ... Transferred to Northwest Missouri State from Joliet Junior College in 2012. ... Helped lead the Bearcats to the 2013 NCAA Division II Football Championship. ... Dixon played in 25 games with 22 starts over two seasons and recorded 51 tackles, six interceptions and a recovered blocked punt for a touchdown. ... After recording 30 tackles and five interceptions as a junior, the Pompano Beach, Fla. native started all 12 games he appeared in as a senior and recorded 21 tackles, one interception, six passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Read more: Getting to know the New Orleans Saints' college free agents | Wednesday's Dunc Shot | NOLA.com