Devaughn Vele isn’t the only member of the Denver Broncos‘ 2024 draft class helping the New Orleans Saints win football games in 2025 — and maybe beyond. The Saints might have found something in running back Audric Estime. A bruising runner from Notre Dame who was drafted by the Broncos last year (at 147th overall, in Round 5), he briefly landed on the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad earlier this year before joining the Saints.
And he played a big role in their come-from-behind win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Estime rushed for 94 yards on just 14 carries (6.7 yards per attempt), both career highs, and his 32-yard touchdown run was the Saints’ longest rush by a running back since Alvin Kamara’s 40-yard score on Christmas Day 2020. They’ve been missing that big-play ability in the backfield.
If nothing else, Estime has earned a longer look next offseason. Having young rushers like him, Devin Neal, and Kendre Miller in the mix would make for good competition on the depth chart. The Saints should still look for upgrades at running back given Kamara’s uncertain future and the litany of injuries the group has picked up, but Estime has proven he can help this team win football games. That matters.
With so many former Saints following Sean Payton to Denver, it’s nice to see a former Bronco help New Orleans win a game for a change. The Saints may have found something in Estime. He has one more opportunity to show what he can do in next week’s road game with the Atlanta Falcons.