This week’s edition of Dynasty Sleeper of the Week features a player who wasn’t only difficult to uncover but whose name is also difficult to pronounce. 

Let’s dive in so we can all remember his name in the future.

Kene Nwangwu (RB – MIN)

SLEEPER HISTORY

Kene Nwangwu wasn’t your traditional college running back. In fact, he finished with 143 total rushing attempts in his four-year career at Iowa State. He was prevented from carving out a larger role in part because he lacked the necessary vision and instincts good running backs possess, but also because he’s an immensely talented kick returner. He racked up 896 yards and a touchdown on just 32 kick return attempts as a freshman. Unfortunately, Nwangwu tore his Achilles just a year later in 2017, which likely contributed to his extended stay at Iowa through 2020. 

As a senior, Nwangwu got one start at running back but set career highs as a rusher with 61 attempts, 339 yards, and four touchdowns. He averaged 5.2 yards per attempt over his college career and has all the size and speed one could ask for at the running back position. Nwangwu weighs in at 6’0” 210 pounds and exhibits elite testing numbers and traits as a runner. He ran a 4.37 40-yard dash at his pro-day, which places him in the 99th percentile, along with a 97th percentile speed score (115.2) and 87th percentile burst score (127.1). It’s fairly clear what makes Nwangwu such a dangerous return man given these metrics, but speed itself doesn’t always translate so well to the running back position without proper footwork, vision, and pass-catching skills – all qualities lacking in Nwangwu’s game. The Minnesota Vikings still felt he had enough potential to spend a fourth-round pick to select him in the NFL Draft.

SLEEPER HERE AND NOW

The young kick returner/running back has already made an impact as a rookie for the Vikings. Some may recall his 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the tight loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9. He’s already proven his skills as a returner translate over from the NCAA to the NFL, but can Nwangwu improve as a running back with coaching at a higher level? 

It’s still super early in Nwangwu’s career to judge either way but we know playing special teams at a high level will keep you on an NFL roster and the Vikings are uniquely positioned to need reliable backup running back help considering Dalvin Cook’s limitless health concerns and even more recent potential off the field issues. Alexander Mattison and Kene Nwangwu are the only two backup running backs currently listed on the depth chart so his opportunities are in reach. Nwangwu has been active for just three games this season and received a single rushing attempt he carried for nine yards.

DYNASTY ANALYSIS

Nwangwu’s ability to be anything more than a very good to elite kick returner is slim to none. However, few athletes possess the raw speed he exhibits and, with the right training and drive, anything is possible. 

I’m not advising anyone to spend up to go get this guy but he’s almost certainly on the waiver wire just waiting to be picked up. If I’ve learned anything about this time of year, it’s that waivers are thin and you’re lucky to pull anything worthwhile out of there. If Dalvin Cook or Alexander Mattison were to miss extended time, which in 2021 seems like a guarantee, his price would skyrocket. So, stay ahead of your competition and go get him now.

Thank you for reading. If you have any thoughts or questions and would like to discuss them, you can reach out to me on Twitter @WillieBeamanDFF. 

You can read previous articles in this series here:  Pharaoh Brown, Demetric Felton, Mekhi Sargent, Jaelon Darden, Derrick Gore, Tyree Jackson, Kylen Granson, Sammis Reyes, Eno Benjamin