Alvin Kamara Viewed as Top-10 Running Back
NFL Network analyst Maurice Jones-Drew ranked his top 32 starting running backs for each team this week. Jones-Drew was an NFL running back for nine seasons from 2006 to 2014. Eight of those years were with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He is the Jaguars all-time leader in rushing touchdowns and second in career rushing yardage.
Jones-Drew compiled 8,167 rushing yards and 79 total touchdowns over his career, winning the NFL rushing title in 2011. He's been an NFL Network studio analyst for the last several years. Here's where Jones-Drew ranked the projected starting running back for the New Orleans Saints.
RANK: NUMBER 7
New Orleans Saints · 7th year
2022 stats: 15 games | 223 att | 897 rush yds | 4.0 ypc | 2 rush TDs | 57 rec | 490 rec yds | 2 rec TDs | 4 fumbles lost
Kamara is suspended for the first three games of the season for violating the league's personal conduct policy, but he should seamlessly slide back into the Saints’ offense in Week 4. He’s going to benefit from having Derek Carr under center and has a real chance to continue his streak of six consecutive seasons with 1,300-plus scrimmage yards.
Here are the starting backs that Jones-Drew ranked ahead of Kamara.
1. Christian McCaffrey (49ers)
2. Derek Henry (Titans)
3. Nick Chubb (Browns)
4. Austin Ekeler (Chargers)
5. Josh Jacobs (Raiders)
6. Saquon Barkley (Giants)
Jonathan Taylor (8 - Colts), Tony Pollard (9 - Cowboys), and Najee Harris (10 - Steelers) rounded out Jones-Drew's top-10.
New Orleans opens the regular season against Tennessee's Derek Henry on September 10. They'll meet Taylor and the Colts in Week 8 and face off against Barkley and the Colts in Week 15. The Saints ranked just 19th against the run in 2022.
Aug 13, 2023; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY
Kamara has 5,135 rushing yards, 430 receptions for 3,753 yards, and 72 touchdowns over his six seasons. He's the franchise record-holder for most receptions, receiving yards, and receiving scores for a running back. In 2020, Kamara also set team records for rushing touchdowns (16) and total touchdowns (21) in a single season.
Just 28, Kamara comes into the year tied with Marques Colston as the franchise's all-time leader in total touchdowns. He's just 961 yards from surpassing Deuce McAllister for second place on the franchise's all-time rushing yardage list and three rushing touchdowns from tying Mark Ingram for the team’s all-time lead in that category.
Alvin Kamara is coming off a down year statistically. His 897 rushing yards led the team, but his four yards per carry were well below his career average. He was second on the team in receptions and third in receiving yards, but both marks were the second lowest of his career. Most disturbing was the fact that Kamara scored only four touchdowns and reached the end zone in just two games.
Expect a big jump in Kamara's effectiveness in 2023, particularly as a receiver. The Saints made major upgrades to their tight end spot and backfield behind him, expect a return to health of WR Michael Thomas and their offensive line, and signed QB Derek Carr to run the offense.
While Kamara is suspended, free-agent addition Jamaal Williams and third-round draft choice Kendre Miller are expected to shoulder the backfield load. Upon his return, the Saints could have the NFL's most lethal trio of running backs.
