Saints Could Find Late-Round Value in SEC Running Backs

Even in a deep running back class, New Orleans could snag a draft steal with one of these SEC backs.

The New Orleans Saints took care of a big need this offseason when they signed RB Jamaal Williams in free agency. Williams is coming off the best season in his six-year career, rushing for 1,066 yards and a league-high 17 touchdowns. 

Saints RB Alvin Kamara remains one of the NFL's most dynamic weapons and has averaged 909 yards on the ground over the last three seasons. However, the lack of a complementary backfield threat has caused the team to use Kamara less as a receiver, where he's most dangerous. He's caught just 104 passes over the last two years after at least 81 receptions in his first four campaigns. 

Additionally, Kamara is facing at least a six-game league suspension this season because of legal issues. Williams is talented enough to take the backfield load, but many expect the Saints to add more depth through the draft. 

Here are two underrated SEC backs that should be available in the mid-late rounds of a deep class.

RB - Chris Rodriguez 

Kentucky (Sr.)

6'0" 217-Lbs.

Oct. 9, 2021; Kentucky s Chris Rodriguez Jr runs the ball against LSU. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

After taking a redshirt in 2018, Rodriguez contributed 533 rushing yards and six scores for the Wildcats the following year. As a backup, he'd lead Kentucky with 785 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2020 despite missing two contests. 

In 2021, Rodriguez rushed for at least 99 yards in 10 of 13 games. He earned 2nd Team All-SEC recognition with 1,378 yards on the ground and 13 total scores. An offseason DUI arrest caused Rodriguez to be suspended for the first four games of 2022. He'd come back to pick up 904 yards in eight outings, scoring six times and breaking the 100-yard barrier five times.

Rodriguez has just average athleticism and won't be a breakaway threat. Doesn't offer much threat in the passing game, catching just 20 passes over four years. Fumbles were a major concern in 2021, coughing up the ball five times, but he fumbled just once last season. 

Strictly a downhill runner, Rodriguez lacks elusiveness in the open field. As such, he'll need to show more patience in letting his blocks develop in front of him. He struggles to make sharp lateral cuts to avoid tacklers, so must run with a lower pad level to pick up extra yardage. 

Rodriguez is all about power. He runs through defenders and dishes out punishment. He's adept at spotting the smallest creases at the line and has good vision for cutback opportunities. Used to a high volume of inside carries, Rodriguez remains strong late in games.

Possessing excellent balance, Rodriguez keeps pumping his legs through contact. A north-south runner, he'll hit the line with decisiveness and get to the second level quickly. He's rarely slowed by arm tackles and has a nose for the goal line and first down marker. 

Kentucky running back Chris Rodriguez powers for yardage against Louisville. Matt Stone/Louisville Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

A Day 3 pick, Rodriguez could be an instant contributor in short yardage and goal line packages. At best, he looks like a rotational player for a backfield. However, his power and intensity could make him a second half finisher to wear down defenses. 

Another SEC back should come off the board around the same time as Rodriguez, but brings a different set of skills to the NFL. 

RB - Zach Evans 

Mississippi (Jr.)

5'11" 202-Lbs.

Mississippi Rebels running back Zach Evans (6) runs the ball against the Texas A&M Aggies. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

A native of Texas, Evans stayed in-state for his first two collegiate seasons at TCU. He'd see late season activity with the Horned Frogs as a freshman in 2020, finishing the year with 415 rushing yards and four scores.

Evans missed six games with a toe injury in 2021. Despite that and sharing carries with Kendre Miller, he'd lead TCU with 648 yards on the ground and scored five times. In six games played, he had four outings of over 100 yards.

Evans transferred to Mississippi for the 2022 campaign. He missed some time with a concussion and hip injury and shared backfield time with super freshman Quinshon Judkins. Despite that, Evans still finished with an impressive 936 rushing yards and nine scores. 

Fumbling is a bit of a concern for Evans, who lost three last year. Nagging injuries could also be an issue and kept him from carrying the bulk of the backfield load. He also wasn't utilized much as a receiver, catching 30 passes in three years, leading to questions about how much he can contribute in that capacity. 

Mostly running out of a spread-zone blocking scheme, Evans hasn't shown great ability to process defenses and find alternative holes. Too often, he'll miss cutback lanes and the opportunity for a bigger play.

An explosive player, Evans can hit a crease in an instant and accelerate away from defenders. He's also an underrated runner between the tackles, showing adequate strength and power to make him an inside-outside threat.

Evans has outstanding balance on contact and spins away from tacklers for extra yardage. He's a fluid and agile athlete extremely difficult to bring down with a solo effort. Those skills could also make him a dangerous receiver on screens and check-down passes. 

Ole Miss Rebels running back Zach Evans (6) breaks away for a touchdown against the Arkansas Razorbacks. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Injuries and questions about his natural instincts should drive Evans into a Day 3 selection. He has the ability to be a change-of-pace backfield option, but his fluid athleticism gives him the upside for a much bigger role. 

New Orleans has historically had good success with undrafted or late-round backs. Zach Evans and Chris Rodriguez aren't well-rounded every down players, but each have skills to be complementary pieces out of the Saints backfield. 

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