Reasons Why RB DeWayne McBride Is A Great Saints Draft Prospect

This small-school star would be a powerful addition to the New Orleans offense in the middle rounds of the draft.

The New Orleans Saints have had a lot of success in recent years with running backs out of small or lesser-known schools. Chris Ivory (Tiffin), Khiry Robinson (West Texas A&M), and Travaris Cadet (Appalachian St.) put together solid careers with the Saints after entering the league as unknowns.  Ivory, Robinson, and Cadet each came to New Orleans as undrafted rookies. Today's draft profile will almost certainly hear their name called on the second or third day, but will also come into the league from a school not known for NFL talent. 

RB - DeWayne McBride (Jr.)

Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)

5'10" 209-Lbs.

UAB Blazers running back DeWayne McBride (22) jumps over Marshall Thundering Herd safety E.J. Jackson (21). Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

As a freshman, McBride rushed for 439 yards and four touchdowns in six game appearances for the Blazers. He became the primary threat out of their backfield in 2021 and responded with 1,371 yards and 13 scores. In 2022, McBride's 1,713 rushing yards was second across the NCAA, while his 19 touchdowns set a new single season school record. He finished his three-year career at UAB with 3,523 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns, averaging 7.3 per carry. 

UAB threw the ball little. McBride comes into the draft with only five career catches and equally little experience as a pass blocker. He's also shown a disturbing lack of ball security, fumbling nine times in the last two years.  McBride has primarily been an inside runner and has limited athleticism in open space. This raises doubts about his ability to make plays outside or get off tackle. He's been relatively slow to accelerate when forced to change direction and lacks elusiveness when there’s penetration into the backfield. 

A powerfully built back, McBride is a traditional north-south runner who hits the line with great force. He runs with good pad level and dishes out punishment to tacklers. An excellent finisher, he is very reliable in short yardage situations and is rarely taken down by arm tackles.  McBride runs with outstanding balance. He has good vision to pick up cutback lanes, but is a decisive runner that hits the hole with authority. His patience to let blocks develop is also a rare trait.

McBride is able to take on a heavy workload and still remain effective late in games.  He rushed for at least 100 yards in 16 of his last 21 contests, including 14 outings of over 120 and four 200-yard games. Dewayne McBride is likely a Day 3 selection because of his limited athleticism and inexperience in the passing game. However, he could go higher if a team is looking for a pure power rusher. If he puts fumbling issues behind him, he'll be an immediate asset between the tackles with the upside to develop to a more featured role.

UAB Blazers running back DeWayne McBride (22) runs against the Marshall Thundering Herd at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Saints have had interior rushing issues the last two years. Taysom Hill is a terrific option, but the offense is relatively predictable when he's in the backfield. New Orleans signed 1,000-yard back Jamaal Williams in free agency in hopes that they'll need to use featured weapon Alvin Kamara less inside. 

With Kamara likely to be suspended at least six games this season, the Saints could use more backfield depth. McBride would have a limited early down and short yardage role initially. However, he'd be a good option in the middle rounds and allow the Saints to use Kamara and Williams in other ways for their offense. 

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