Saints grab high upside with former Vikings player on waiver wire after final cuts

The New Orleans Saints got active on the waiver wire after roster cuts by bringing aboard a former second-team All-Pro player at a position of need.

Those Saints put a claim in on former Minnesota Vikings running back Kene Nwangwu, a 2021 fourth-round pick who earned that All-Pro bid in 2022 courtesy of a stellar season on kick returns.

That season, Nwangwu returned 35 kicks (tied for the season high) and took one back 97 yards for a score, earning him player of the week honors in the process.

New Orleans adding a running back for depth at some point was obvious. After a strong summer, Jordan Mims was the only name on the chart behind Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams on the initial 53.

While Nwangwu likely has more value on special teams than anything, the versatility gets him a nod with the Saints. So, too, might his connection with Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who worked with him in 2021.

The Saints continuing a roster churn in this vein isn’t too shocking after the initial 53 featured coaches keeping aboard four undrafted free agents and even going thin along the offensive line.

Next up for the Saints is the hope that Nwangwu can be like some of their other massive summer breakouts who made the 53 , boosting the team’s depth and future outlook.

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