Saints Running Back Room Could Add A Veteran

The New Orleans Saints could add a veteran free-agent to its running back room.

Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller reported their preseason analysis of the New Orleans Saints running backs room on SiriusXM NFL's Movin' the Chains.  The positional unit had a favorable score of 17 total points from the football experts, but they pointed out a few concerns that New Orleans should address before training camp opens.

The Running Back Room

Alvin Kamara received 13 points for his rushing (9 pts) and receiving (4 pts) ability.  However, his court case begins on August 31.  Will Kamara be able to play for the team for most of the 2023-24 season?

New Orleans Saints running backs Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, and Kendre Miller; Credit: USA Today Sports

Jamaal Williams will become the bell-cow running back for the Saints. In the previous season, he carried the ball 262 times for 1066 yards and scored 17 touchdowns while playing for the Lions.  However, his receiving performance could have been more impressive, with only 12 catches for 73 yards from 16 targets.  Pete Carmichael loves to utilize the catching ability of his rushers, so Williams' receptions will increase.  But by how much?  Kirwan gave him 4 points for his rushing ability and zero for receiving.

Neither Kendre Miller, Eno Benjamin, SaRodorick Thompson Jr., nor Ellis Merriweather notched a single point from Miller and Kirwan.  Why?  Their minimal NFL experience was the primary factor.  Yet, Kirwan did acknowledge, "If Mr. Miller is good as he claims he's going to be, then this is a no-brainer, and they're fine."  Kirwan did say, "It could fall apart" if the Saints lose Kamara and an injury happens to Williams or Miller.

Which brings us to this point: Should the Saints sign one or two veteran free-agent running backs before training camp?  GM Mickey Loomis and HC Dennis Allen may have already considered a contingency plan for the running back room, let's explore.

Nov 7, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Kenyan Drake (17) rushes against New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

The Best Available Running Backs

The Top-10 free-agent veteran running backs are:

1. Ezekiel Elliott
2. Leonard Fournette
3. Kareem Hunt
4. Mark Ingram
5. J.D. McKissic
6. Rex Burkhead
7. Taiwan Jones
8. Darrel Williams
9. Kenyon Drake
10. Dontrell Hilliard

Three players immediately jump off the page based on health, production, and market value. Kenyan Drake, J.D. McKissic, and Darrel Williams may have the rushing and receiving ability to fit into the Saints' backfield.

Drake is a top choice because he averaged 4.4 yds per rush for Baltimore in 2022-23 and 4.0 yds per rush with the Raiders in 2021-22.  The seven-year veteran is familiar with quarterback Derek Carr and can catch the football.  The Ravens signed him for a one-year contract worth $1.035 million last season.

The former LSU running back, Darrel Williams, had one season with the Arizona Cardinals after four with Kansas City.  In his final year with QB Patrick Mahomes, Williams rushed for 558 yards, six touchdowns, and caught 47 passes for 452 yards and two receiving touchdowns.  He averaged 4.9 yards per attempt with the Cardinals but was limited to six game appearances.

J.D. McKissic has been more productive as a receiver than a rusher in his NFL career. He's caught 220 passes for 1,674 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.  Compared to rushing 243 times for 1,074 yards and four touchdowns.  Washington released the six-year running back in March.

Compared to other running backs, Drake provides New Orleans with greater positional flexibility - and makes the most sense.  While adding Zeke Elliott and Kareem Hunt would be great, their high prices may make it difficult for the Saints to make an offer.  However, even with some assumptions, the Saints still have plenty of options for extending offers that may seem unlikely.

Get more Saints Lagniappe with the Saints News Network for more coverage of the New Orleans Saints throughout the offseason from senior writers John Hendrix, Bob Rose, Ross Jackson, and Kyle T. Mosley.

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