Saints Add TE Brock, OL Manhart To Start Training Camp
Ok so I was half right on the New Orleans Saints signing a tight end prior to officially starting training camp.
According to The Advocate’s Nick Underhill the team has signed tight end Kevin Brock to help bolster their nagging lack of depth at the position as well as offensive guard Cole Manhart.
Brock is actually a native of Louisiana hailing from Shreveport and went to college at Rutgers University.
He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Carolina Panthers in 2009 where he bounced around for the next few seasons.
After the Panthers, Brock spent time with the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, and the Oakland Raiders before landing on the active roster of the Buffalo Bills in 2011.
He would play in two games where he caught 2 passes for 27 yards and zero touchdowns before moving on and signing with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013.
While with the Chiefs he played in just four games catching 4 passes for 36 yards and zero touchdowns.
More from New Orleans Saints
- New Orleans Saints: Three biggest questions heading into the offseason
- New Orleans Saints: Three positives to take from playoff loss
- New Orleans Saints: Bold predictions for Wild Card Round vs. Vikings
- New Orleans Saints: Complete roster breakdown vs. Minnesota Vikings
- New Orleans Saints: The one overarching reason why the Vikings will lose
He would see more action in 2014 while with the Cincinnati Bengals where he played in 14 games and caught 5 passes for 21 yards and again, zero touchdowns.
Brock has experience at the position so he’ll battle with fellow veteran Orson Charles and rookie Jack Tabb for what is likely going to be the #3 spot behind Benjamin Watson and Josh Hill.
It’s a little surprising that the Saints didn’t go with a few other options like free agent tight end Chase Coffman, who they tried out in mini-camp, or veteran Fred Davis but we’ll see how this move plays out.
Jan 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Kevin Brock (83) against the Indianapolis Colts during the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Manhart is an undrafted free agent originally signed by the Philadelphia Eagles following the 2015 NFL Draft who comes from the University of Nebraska-Kearney in the Rocky Mountain Conference.
His draft profile lists him as a center but it also quotes an AFC scout mentioning he may have to move to guard.
More from Big Easy Believer
- New Orleans Saints: Three biggest questions heading into the offseason
- New Orleans Saints: Three positives to take from playoff loss
- New Orleans Pelicans: Betting guide vs. Sacramento Kings
- New Orleans Saints: Bold predictions for Wild Card Round vs. Vikings
- New Orleans Pelicans: Betting guide in Los Angeles Lakers rematch
The athletic website for UNK says that Manhart also started as a left tackle during his collegiate career but for the Saints that would seem unlikely.
At 6-6 and 310 lbs., Manhart exhibits the qualities the Saints are looking for in a player with being smart and was on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll three years in a row while in school.
Selected twice as a first team Division II All American, Manhunt was chosen to play in the 2015 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
With center Michael Brewster being waived with an injury designation, Manhart could provide depth vacated at that spot or as an extra guard.