Saints Backfield Options With Kamara Clarity
The legal saga of New Orleans Saints RB is finally nearing an end. Kamara surprisingly pleaded ''no contest'' to a misdemeanor charge of Breach of Peace from original felony battery charges stemming from an incident in Las Vegas in February of 2022. That means that he won't have to appear in a criminal court hearing on July 31 and both criminal and civil suit cases against him are now settled.
Kamara's plea agreement includes community service and a $100,000 fine. It also means that the NFL can now step in and hand down their punishment sooner than expected. Kamara's early plea allows the league to do so 2-4 weeks earlier than anticipated. The NFL has said that they've been 'monitoring the situation', but there's no reason not to act immediately. After all, this incident occurred 17 months ago.
So what does all this mean for Kamara and the Saints on the football field?
The baseline suspension for violation of the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy in situations like this call for a suspension of 4-6 games, with the league office reserving the right to lengthen or reduce the suspension. Kamara also has the right to appeal the punishment set forth by the league. Given the timing of the situation, there's no reason why a suspension to Kamara shouldn't take effect to start the year, barring appeal.
Nov 26, 2022; TCU Horned Frogs running back Kendre Miller (33) carries the ball against the Iowa State Cyclones. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans prepared in the offseason for a Kamara suspension. They also fortified the depth chart behind him, a glaring team weakness the last two years. Here is a look at the Saints running backs just two weeks before the start of training camp.
• Alvin Kamara
• Jamaal Williams
• Kendre Miller (rookie - 3rd round)
• Eno Benjamin
• Ellis Merriweather (rookie - undrafted)
• Jake Bargas
• Adam Prentice (FB)
Sep 25, 2022; Detroit Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams (30) rushes against the Minnesota Vikings. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY
Williams was a fourth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers out of BYU, where he was a teammate of Taysom Hill. He's coming off a career-best 1,066 rushing yards and NFL-high 17 touchdowns with the Detroit Lions. Williams has proven more than capable of carrying the backfield load.
Miller was solid in his first two years of shared backfield duties at TCU, rushing for a combined 1,111 yards in 2020 and 2021. He erupted for the Horned Frogs last season, rushing for 1,399 yards and 17 scores. Miller doesn't have breakaway speed but possesses excellent vision and balance, along with nice burst into open space.
Neither Williams nor Miller have been used much as receivers, an area where Kamara is the league's best. However, both have shown themselves to be adequate pass catchers out of the backfield and excellent runners after the catch.
A third-year pro, Benjamin rushed for 299 yards in 10 games for the Cardinals last year before surprisingly getting released. That included a career-high 92 yards against the Saints in Week 7. He seems unlikely to figure heavily in the backfield plans, but he could give the team some quality play if he makes the team. His experience gives him an edge over Bargas and Merriweather, an undrafted rookie who runs hard.
Williams and Miller look more than capable of handling backfield duties if Kamara is suspended for a short stint. However, what if the league suspends the star back for a lengthy stretch? If so, here are some talented and experienced backs still available on the free-agent market.
• Dalvin Cook (age 28)
• Kareem Hunt (28)
• Kenyan Drake (29)
• Leonard Fournette (28)
• Marlon Mack (27)
• J.D. McKissic (30)
• Benny Snell (25)
Nov 7, 2022; Baltimore Ravens running back Kenyan Drake (17) rushes against New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu (32). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Cook is the most accomplished of these free agents after his release from Minnesota, but he won't be a Saint. He'll sign as a featured back and was never a serious option for New Orleans unless perhaps Kamara was suspended for the year.
Hunt and Drake are two starting quality backs who sat behind better players and haven't gotten many touches in recent seasons. Both are unselfish and would be effective in backup duties. Either player has the versatility to be productive in the New Orleans system.
A New Orleans local and former LSU star, it's still hard to envision Fournette in a Saints uniform. However, he's a quality back who would be a productive threat....if he's willing to accept a reduced role.
McKissic is a receiving back most effective in passing situations. Mack had terrific production in 2018 and 2019, but hasn't been the same since an Achilles injury in 2020. Snell is limited, but could be an effective short yardage back.
Jun 13, 2023; New Orleans Saints running backs Alvin Kamara (41), Jamaal Williams (30), and Kendre Miller (33) during minicamp. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Remember that Kamara won't take up a roster spot during his suspension, allowing the Saints to sign another player. Would it be a running back? It's possible, but would depend on the length of Kamara's suspension plus the health and effectiveness of Williams and Miller. Remember that Taysom Hill also gives the team another running threat and will be used in various roles.
Alvin Kamara is still a huge key to the New Orleans offense. The team could bring in another back to bolster depth depending on the length of his pending suspension. However, the Saints were prepared for this eventuality and added enough backfield talent to keep their offense on track with or without him.
