The former Iowa State running back is ready to compete for the team’s third running back spot and as a kick returner.
Running back Kene Nwangwu is ready to start his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings.
The former Iowa State running back signed his rookie contract with the Vikings, which will pay him $4.23 million over four years, per Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press.
That includes a $752,800 signing bonus and will count $848,200 against the 2021 salary cap.
Nwangwu is expected to compete as the team’s kick returner and as the team’s third running back behind Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison.
In his four-year career at Iowa State, Nwangwu returned 92 kicks for 2,470 yards and one touchdown.
In 2020 as a running back, Nwangwu ran 61 times for 339 yards and four touchdowns.
The Minnesota Vikings did a good job of adding talent through the 2021 NFL draft. Here are the most-improved position groups.
The Vikings’ 11-player 2021 draft class is filled with talent up and down.
From first-rounder Christian Darrisaw to sixth-round pick Jaylen Twyman, the Vikings had a pretty good NFL draft. Minnesota had to add starters to open positions, in order to have a bounce-back season and earn a playoff berth.
That could very well be possible now. Here are some position groups the Vikings improved the most through the draft:
The Minnesota Vikings have added a prospect who could be useful on offense and special teams: Iowa State RB Kene Nwangwu.
Minnesota has been deep at running back these past few seasons.
Dalvin Cook is one of the top running backs in the NFL. Alexander Mattison is a very capable backup. With Mike Boone’s departure, the Vikings could use more depth behind those two.
Iowa State RB Kene Nwangwu could be that depth. Minnesota nabbed Nwangwu in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft on Saturday. He had 339 rushing yards and four touchdowns in his final collegiate season with the Cyclones.
He can compete with Ameer Abdullah for running back reps behind Cook and Mattison. Not only that, but Nwangwu has experience as a kick returner. He could be a kick returner or punt returner for the Vikings in 2021.
Day 3 is not the most looked forward to part of the draft, but it is important to team building.
Day 3 is not the most exciting part of the NFL draft, but it is important to teams, as there are many diamonds in the rough to find, along with potential starters and key backups.
Last year, the Arizona Cardinals drafted defensive linemen Rahsard Lawrence and Leki Fotu, linebacker Evan Weaver and running back Eno Benjamin
Who might be on their radar this week on Saturday for rounds 4-7?
Below are eight offensive players to know for the Cardinals who would fit well in their offense.
The backfield for the Indianapolis Colts is the furthest position from a need for the team in the 2021 NFL draft, but the front office is always looking for explosive players to add to the offense.
Though Jonathan Taylor is set to reprise his role as a starter after leading all rookies in rushing yards in 2020, the Colts have met with former Iowa State running back Kene Nwangwu via Zoom ahead of the draft, per Justin Melo of The Draft Network.
“It’s been a very informative process. I’ve enjoyed hearing where professional coaches think I fit in at the next level. We’re talking about scheme fits. We’re talking about special teams. The process is going well for me,” Nwangwu said in an interview with Melo. “I’ve been on Zoom with the Jets, Giants, Browns, Cardinals, Colts, and the Patriots. I’m enjoying the process. I’m learning what they’re teaching me. By the end of our meetings, I’m using the terminology of their scheme and showing them what I learned and retained.”
The Colts have Taylor under contract for the next few seasons while Nyheim Hines should be expected to receive a contract extension before the 2021 season arrives. They re-signed Marlon Mack to a one-year deal while he and Jordan Wilkins will be free agents after 2021.
So there is a chance the Colts take a look at Nwangwu on Day 3 of the draft, especially considering his ridiculous explosiveness.
At 6’0″ and 210 pounds, Nwangwu recorded a 9.89 RAS, which was the highest among all running backs in the 2021 draft class.
(Courtesy of Kent Lee Platte)
The issue with Nwangwu’s draft profile is the lack of production. He set a career high with just 61 rushing attempts in 2020 but averaged 5.6 yards per carry. This is mostly due to working behind David Montgomery and what could be the RB1 of the 2022 class in Breece Hall.
But on Day 3, the Colts are looking for upside. Nwangwu certainly has that, and it wouldn’t be that much of a shock to see them try to capture his skill set in the offense after Mack and Wilkins leave.
