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Saints sign return specialist Marcus Sherels to one-year deal, report says

Saints add veteran return specialist Marcus Sherels, after nine years in Minnesota.

NFL: NFC Divisional Playoff-New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

After nine seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, return specialist Marcus Sherels is expected to sign with the New Orleans Saints according to multiple sources. Sherels will leave Minnesota having returned 231 punts for 2,447 yards and five touchdowns.

Sherels, drafted as a cornerback, should be expected to compete for New Orleans’ vacant punt returner slot, as Tommylee Lewis recently was signed by the Detroit Lions. Sherels also served as a valuable special teams contributor outside of his return duties totaling 42.51 percent of the Vikings special teams snaps in 2018. His presence could only add to a tightly knit group that already was one of the better units in football.

While Sherels wasn’t able to reach the end zone last season he did finish sixth (12.0) in yards per punt return and was able to burst out a 70 yarder in a December matchup versus the Miami Dolphins according to Pro Football Reference.

He may no longer be in his prime from a few years ago as a specialist, but he still can contribute, and is a welcomed addition to a position that needs stability and competition. Sherels also had zero fumbles in 2018, something he hadn’t accomplished in four years.

Early reports suggest a thirst for a Super Bowl run next season is the main reason for Sherels’ departure. We can only hope that his contributions are apart of a another puzzle that brings New Orleans back to Miami for one more Super Bowl.

So what do you say Who Dat Nation? Is Marcus Sherels an addition you’re happy to see? Is there someone else in mind you’d like to see claim punt returning duties? As always, fight it out in the comments.