Report: Saints Sign RB Jordan Mims

The Saints add more backfield depth and a familiar face for rookie QB Jake Haener.

The New Orleans Saints have added RB Jordan Mims to their practice squad, as first reported by John Hendrix of the Saints News Network on Wednesday. 

Mims, an undrafted rookie, had been with the Buffalo Bills this preseason. Saints News Network reporter John Hendrix first broke news of Mims on Wednesday. It became official on Thursday, as the Saints will also add RB Tony Jones Jr.

To create space for both players, New Orleans has released RB Ellis Merriweather and LB Ty Summers from the practice squad. 

Mims had 92 scrimmage yards in Buffalo's first two preseason games. He did not play in the Bills' preseason finale last weekend because of a concussion. The Bills released him on August 28.

A teammate of Saints rookie QB Jake Haener at Fresno State, Mims rushed for 1,203 yards and scored 16 touchdowns over his first three collegiate seasons. In 2021, he contributed 710 yards on the ground. That included three 100-yard performances and 236 all-purpose yards with three scores in his team's New Mexico Bowl victory. 

Mims led the Bulldogs with 1,372 yards on the ground last season. He led the Mountain West Conference with 18 rushing scores and finished second in rushing yards. He finished in the top-5 in school history for career rushing yards, touchdowns, and all-purpose yardage. 

Dec 17, 2022; Fresno State Bulldogs running back Jordan Mims (7) runs for a first down against the Washington State Cougars. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY

At 5'10" and 200-Lbs., Mims runs through contact and possesses good vision for cutback lanes. He doesn't have great acceleration, but shows good elusiveness in the open field. 

Mims must show that he can hit an open hole more decisively, he shows a tendency to dance around a little too much. He's an adequate receiver, but struggled to pick up pass blocking assignments during the preseason. 

The vision and versatility that Mims brings should be beneficial to the Saints backfield depth. Alvin Kamara is suspended for the first three games of the season. Veteran Jamaal Williams and rookie Kendre Miller will assume backfield duties until Kamara's return. Other backs on the team's roster includes Kirk Merritt on the active roster and Jones on the practice squad.