Cut down day only yields the first roster. Nothing proves that more than the afternoon after 53-man roster cuts are complete.
The New Orleans Saints wasted no time heading to the waivers to shuffle their active roster. Per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill, the Saints claimed former Minnesota Vikings running back Kene Nwangwu. The back is also a return specialist with three career kick return touchdowns and an average of 27.6 yards per return.
With the Saints claiming the former Iowa State back off of waivers, it means that they intend to add him to their active roster. That should lead to a corresponding move that will open up a spot on the 53.
Nwangwu will fit in well with the Saints’ emphasis on special teams, especially with the new kick off rules wherein two returners will have to be back ready to field a kickoff. The Vikings were waiting to see if Nwangwu was going to jump out eventually as a running back as well, but things never seemed to pan out there. That certainly has not been because of lack of talent.
The fourth-round pick appeared in 37 games but was only given 27 career carries. He also only targeted seven times in the passing game over his three seasons with Minnesota. If he finds his way into the Saints’ running back rotation, he will certainly receive more opportunities than that.
The Saints could also provide a run scheme on offense that should elevate where Nwangwu is at his best. He is an evasive and talented runner with explosive 4.32 speed and good size at 6-foot and 210 pounds. Nwangwu’s struggles have come from a need to sharpen his runner’s instincts. But perhaps putting him in situations out in space will help to bridge that gap, tapping into his returner’s instincts instead.
