By Nick Veronica

Chris Manhertz, the former Canisius basketball player turned NFL prospect, was picked up by the New Orleans Saints Monday night after being released by the Bills last week.

The Saints had success with their last basketball-playing tight end, Jimmy Graham, and were willing to give Manhertz a shot, cutting third-year veteran Michael Egnew.

Manhertz should get a bump up the depth chart, too: after being as deep as the seventh tight end with the Bills, Manhertz is now the fifth TE on the Saints’ 90-man roster, behind Ben Watson, Josh Hill, Orson Charles and Alex Smith.

Manhertz did not play in Bills’ preseason opener against Carolina and was released on Aug. 19. He went unclaimed on waivers and was a free agent for about four days. The Saints have two remaining preseason games: Aug. 30 vs. Houston and Sept. 3 at Green Bay.