The New Orleans Saints have one of the league’s best running backs, but the uncertainty behind him is holding the unit back overall.
Pro Football Focus’ Dalton Wasserman recently ranked the NFL’s running back units and the Saints were in the bottom half at No. 21 overall. Here is what Wasserman had to say about the placement:
“Alvin Kamara may be entering his age-30 season, but he still found a way to generate more than 1,400 yards from scrimmage last year despite New Orleans’ dreadful passing game. His 76.6 PFF rushing grade was a top-20 mark among qualifiers, and he ranked second among that same group in the regular season with 543 receiving yards. New Orleans lacks proven depth behind him, with Kendre Miller, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and sixth-round rookie Devin Neal rounding out the unit.”
Kamara has been one of the most reliable backs in the league, despite all of the chaos of the Saints offense in the last few years. He’s had at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage in every season of his career and is primed to have a massive role in the offense of first-year coach Kellen Moore.
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It would be foolish to expect Kamara to go out there and have 2,000 rushing yards just because Moore is in town, but it wouldn’t be a stretch to expect his first 1,000-yard year on the ground and a continued important role in the passing game.
Behind Kamara, Miller is under the most pressure to perform. He has played in just 14 games over his first two years with 80 rushes for 304 yards and two scores. There should be a clean slate for him with the new coaching staff, but he needs to take the next step in his career soon.
Cam Akers is an interesting late pickup, but he has not looked the same over the last few years and tore his achilles in 2023. If Akers can unlock something with New Orleans, he would be a fun addition. He is a long shot to make the roster, though.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: PFF: New Orleans Saints running backs room hinges on Alvin Kamara