5 possible Vikings kick returners for 2024 after Kene Nwangwu’s exit
In their final 53-man roster construction on Tuesday, the Minnesota Vikings released running back and kick returner Kene Nwangwu.
The move was shocking, given the upside that the Iowa State product provides on special teams, and it leaves the Vikings with a massive question mark heading into the season.
Minnesota also waived Malik Knowles, a wide receiver from Kansas State with some return experience. So, with both players now gone, who can the Vikings turn to with the new kickoff rules in effect?
Possible Minnesota Vikings kick returners for 2024
Brandon Powell – WR
Brandon Powell is likely to be the primary punt returner for the Vikings heading into the season and should have a chance to win the kick-returning job as well. The shifty receiver cracked the roster and has plenty of experience on special teams.
While Powell is not as electric of a playmaker as Nwangwu, he does bring a veteran presence, which could come in handy with the rule changes. A more explosive option to try and bring a spark should be the preference for Minnesota, but Powell will get an opportunity.
Ty Chandler – RB
If the Vikings want to keep this position in-house with an explosive athlete, Ty Chandler is probably the most likely candidate. He has some breakaway potential and has proven to be a dynamic ball carrier at times in his young career.
The primary concern with Chandler currently is the lack of depth in the backfield. There are currently just two true running backs on the roster so using one of them as a kickoff returner is too much of a risk. If they do bring in some extra depth for the running back room, Chandler could be a more serious candidate to return kicks.
Cody Schrader – RB
Cody Schrader was waived by the San Francisco 49ers following the preseason, and he could be an option for Minnesota. The rookie running back out of Missouri was a productive back in college and showed some promise as a return man in the preseason.
In four attempts, Schrader averaged 30 yards with a long of 33 but was beat out for the job by fellow rookie Isaac Guerendo. Schrader is not going to be an alarming athlete by any means but he proved that he can be a consistent returner if needed.
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This would be a bit of a safe move for the Vikings and may not result in a ton of excitement but Cody Schrader could be a name to monitor during the waiver period.
Kearis Jackson – WR
Kearis Jackson was waived by the Tennessee Titans this year despite a decent showing in the preseason. While the best return specialists in the NFL made their rosters, Jackson is arguably the best of the bunch that did not make an initial 53-man roster.
Jackson had the third-longest return in the NFL during the preseason with a 63-yard return against the 49ers in the first exhibition. The wide receiver from Georgia is the most explosive return option to not make a roster which is a bit of a shock but also telling of how much the Vikings could regret moving on from Nwangwu.
Of the players with the 10 longest returns in the preseason, Jackson is one of only two to not make his initial roster. The other is also a name to watch for Minnesota.
David Wallis – WR
The New England Patriots waived David Wallis this year in a relatively surprising move. The wide receiver from Randolph-Macon College had a strong preseason in which he returned seven kicks for 202 yards, including a long of 53.
After not making the roster, he should have plenty of suitors on the waiver wire, and the Vikings would be smart to tap in.
Wallis was a fun story for the Patriots, coming from a small school and seemingly doing enough to make the roster as a return specialist. But he failed to make the cut. If Minnesota wants to take a flier on a player who stood out in the preseason, Wallis is certainly a candidate.
