The New Orleans Saints submitted a flurry of moves to the NFL’s transaction wire. They added free agent wide receiver Chad Hansen and, in a corresponding move, waived rookie cornerback David Simmons. They also placed rookie linebacker Chase Hansen on the reserve/non-injury list, which would make room on the 90-man roster for recently-signed cornerback Kayvon Webster.
Hansen (the receiver, not the linebacker) was drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft and has already spent time with four different NFL teams (not including the Saints) after playing for the California Golden Bears in college. The New York Jets first picked Hansen but waived him during roster cuts last year. Hansen then spent time on the practice squads of the New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, and Denver Broncos before signing with New Orleans.
He wasn’t targeted often in his rookie year with the Jets, catching just nine passes for 94 yards (10.4 yards per reception). Hansen should enter a crowded competition near the bottom of the depth chart, pushing players like Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Keith Kirkwood, and Travin Dural for snaps in practice.
Simmons was an undrafted free agent from North Park University in Chicago. The other Hansen (the linebacker) suffered a back injury during his final game at Utah and has been slowly recovering from surgery in the months since — it appears he isn’t quite ready to suit up for the Saints, so they will give him more time to work back without giving up a roster spot.
