Kene Nwangwu DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The New York Jets re-signed running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu (hand) to a one-year deal worth up to $2.5 million on Friday, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Nwangwu will return for his second season with the Jets and is currently the No. 4 RB on their depth chart behind Breece Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, so he's once again unlikely to make much of an impact in 2025. Last year, he was only active for two games and didn't see any involvement on offense, although he did have a 99-yard kickoff return in Week 13 on special teams. The former fourth-rounder (119th overall) by the Minnesota Vikings in 2021 out of Iowa State spent his first three years in Minnesota and had 27 carries for 88 yards and no touchdowns, adding six catches for 30 yards. Nwangwu ended the year on Injured Reserve with a hand injury in 2024.

New York Jets running back Kene Nwangwu has been elevated from the practice squad ahead of the Week 13 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. This is noteworthy because lead back Breece Hall (knee) is currently considered questionable for this game. The move to bring up Nwangwu could mean that Hall is headed in the wrong direction. If Hall sits, Braelon Allen would become the lead back with Isaiah Davis likely mixed in as well. Nwangwu probably wouldn't see any snaps, but is coming up as added insurance in the backfield.

The New Orleans Saints have claimed running back and punt returner Kene Nwangwu off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Nwangwu had been cut loose when the Vikings trimmed their roster down to 53 players on Tuesday. The 26-year-old is primarily a return specialist, having attempted just 14 rushes over the last two seasons. On the other hand, he led the NFL with 35 punt returns in 2022 and tacked on another 15 over nine games last year. He owns an impressive 27.6 yards per return and three return touchdowns over 37 career contests. It's no surprise that Nwangwu was claimed off waivers given his special teams talent, but it's an interesting landing spot given that the Saints already have Rashid Shaheed on their roster. Presumably, Shaheed will handle kick returns and Nwangwu will get the nod for punt returns in 2024.