Is this another one who got away? The New Orleans Saints have a worrisome history of developing talented pros who shine their brightest after joining other teams, but that won’t stop many fans from cheering for Abram Smith. The former Baylor Bears linebacker-turned-running back won fans over by running hard in the 2022 preseason, but he couldn’t do enough to earn a spot on the opening-day roster.
Then he went to the XFL and led the startup spring league with 788 rushing yards in the regular season, keeping it going for the DC Defenders’ postseason run. By years’ end, he racked up 925 rushing yards and scored 10 touchdown runs while gaining 124 receiving yards, earning All-XFL recognition. Good for him.
That’s led to a series of tryouts with teams like the Buffalo Bills, Las Vegas Raiders, and Minnesota Vikings — with the Vikings ultimately closing in on him, as first reported by FanSided’s Mike Mitchell and announced by the XFL’s official social media accounts. However, KPRC2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson cautions that while Smith’s workout in Minnesota went well, the Vikings front office “is still determining if they’re signing him. Has not signed or agreed to terms at this point.”
If Smith is signing with the Vikings, there’s a non-zero chance that he will suit up against his old Saints team. The Vikings host New Orleans in Week 10 and Smith is stepping into a very winnable situation. Minnesota’s backfield is in shambles after they cut Dalvin Cook, featuring unproven pros Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler, and Kene Nwangwu as well as seventh-round rookie draft pick DeWayne McBride. Mattison has never eclipsed 500 or more rushing yards in a single season (and he’s currently nursing a tweaked hamstring), while Chandler and Nwangwu combine for fewer than 30 career rushing attempts in the NFL. If Smith can make the most of his opportunities in preseason and protect the football, he just might catch on.
