The New Orleans Saints were active on the waiver wire, adding running back and All-Pro kick returner Kene Nwangwu to the roster from the Minnesota Vikings. A fourth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Iowa State product has not made much of an impact on the offensive side of the ball. Through three seasons, Nwangwu has recorded just 27 carries for 88 yards and no touchdowns while adding an additional six receptions for 30 yards.
Where he has made an impact, however, is special teams. He immediately made a name for himself as a rookie, recording a league-best two kick return touchdowns in 2021 before earning Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2022. While he took a bit of a step back in 2023, he remains one of the game’s better returners and should have some value on special teams. The only question is whether or not the Saints will carry five running backs on the roster when 2023 third-round pick Kendre Miller returns to the lineup, and if Kene Nwangwu could effectively replace him on the roster.
The #Saints have claimed former #Vikings All-Pro KR Kene Nwangwu off waivers. pic.twitter.com/ZPKxYc0l8J
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 28, 2024
Could Kene Nwangwu Replace Kendre Miller on the Saints Roster?
A third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Kendre Miller had the chance to be the heir to the aging Alvin Kamara. Instead, the running back battled through injury as a rookie, re-injured himself early in training camp, and is currently on the injured reserve. While he could return after four games, nobody should be too surprised if Kene Nwangwu indirectly spells the end of Miller’s Saints tenure.
Head coach Dennis Allen has gone out of his way to express his disappointment in Miller. While cutting a third-round pick after one season isn’t common, it’s not unheard of. Just earlier this week, the Cleveland Browns released Siaki Ika, a fellow third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Kene Nwangwu is a special teams player only, so he won’t directly take Miller’s role in the backfield. However, you can only have 53 men on the active roster, so many spots can you give to the running back room?
Numbers Game
As of this posting, the Saints have four running backs on the active roster: Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, Kene Nwangwu, and 2023 undrafted free agent Jordan Mims. Kamara isn’t going anywhere, and Williams’ massive contract makes moving him difficult. Nwangwu’s spot is relatively secure on special teams, which leaves Kendre Miller and Mims potentially fighting over the same roster spot.
We have yet to see what Mims looks like against full-speed NFL competition in the regular season, but the undrafted free agent has drawn impressive praise through the offseason. Making the 53-man roster itself is a notable feat, and Allen recently spoke about how much he’s improved relative to last year. New Orleans needs to find more reliable depth behind Kamara, so look for Mims to try and prove himself early in the season. If he’s up for the task, Dennis Allen might decide the Saints backfield is better off with just Kamara, Williams, Kene Nwangwu, and Jordan Mims.
Main Photo: Jeffrey Becker – USA Today Sports
