When it comes to punting/kicking, just get into camp. It's all about performance and consistency.

I read that Whelan got picked up as an FA by the Saints

Whelan is one of two punters currently on the Saints' roster.

In other "footnotes" Colby Waldman was the punter for the USFL champion Birmingham Stallions.

I'm not sure why the Saints picked up Whelan. Their punter did really well last season and he is only entering his second year. There are about a half dozen teams with problems at the punting position even after 3 punters were drafted. I'm going to predict that the Saints cut him and he winds up with another team.

I think teams sometimes sign players just to have some competition in camp. Obviously they won't keep two punters. Whelan has at best three pre-season games to show teams what he can do.

avg. 47.7, but tailed off in 2nd half, 42 net, which is about average. Whelan can hit those numbers and may have more upside

Whelan waived by Saints last week

"Whelan had little to no chance of making the team due to punting sensation Blake Gillikin coming back for year two."
https://whodatdish.com/2022/07/26/saints-sign-3-players-cut-3-players/

From a July 13 article on the si.com website:

"Daniel Whelan - Consider this an honorable mention, and this will be prefaced by saying it will be hard to see anyone taking a job from Blake Gillikin. However, Whelan has been really impressing with his punting. Some team will need a punter, and Whelan could end up being a solution."
https://www.si.com/nfl/saints/training-camp/saints-udfas-great-roster-opportunity

Also noticed in Saints camp, former Weber stud Rashid Shaheed is getting a shot in the arm:
Rashid Shaheed - Getting on the field will be a big step for Shaheed, as he's been out of action due to his recovery from a ACL injury. He has a ton of Deonte Harty vibes to him, and will be someone to watch during camp. Harty is wanting a new contract, which is a situation to watch. It's entirely too premature to talk about his replacement right now, but Shaheed checks a lot of boxes.