The Saints have picked up Seahawks rookie defensive end Obum Gwacham and Vikings linebacker Michael Mauti off waivers to add to their 53 man roster. This means they’ll need to make two corresponding moves to acquire them.
Also of note, the Atlanta Falcons claimed tackle Bryce Harris and the Tampa Bay Bucs claimed quarterback Ryan Griffin.
Gwacham had 2 tackles, a half sack and a forced fumble in preseason for the Seahawks. He’s 6th round draft pick rookie out of Oregon State that seems like a pass rushing specialist. The pickup is a little surprising considering all the undrafted rookie defensive linemen they’ve already kept, but perhaps they prefer Gwacham over one of the guys they temporarily kept and they will unload one of them soon.
Mauti is from Mandeville and his father played for the Saints. Rich Mauti (pictured as #84) played as a receiver from 77-83 for the Saints and finished with 21 receptions and 2 touchdowns in his career. The Vikings drafted him in the 7th round out of Penn State two years ago. He’s had 15 tackles in two seasons with the Vikings. The Saints must have looked at him as a special teams boost because that’s the primary function he’s served on the field. Mauti finished with 7 tackles and a sack this preseason.
I view Gwacham as a real head scratcher but maybe he’s a boost on pass rushing downs. Mauti is clearly a move to improve special teams coverage.
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