As the NFL season winds down and the New Orleans Saints face another year without a playoff berth, one of the most scrutinized positions on the roster has been the running back group. Historically, the Saints have had a strong running game, with the likes of Deuce McAllister, Reggie Bush, and Mark Ingram making their marks in the team’s storied history. But the 2023 season has raised a crucial question for the team moving forward: Do the Saints need massive changes to their running back group this offseason?
### Current State of the Saints’ Running Back Room
Heading into 2023, the Saints entered the season with a relatively stable backfield led by 2023 starter Alvin Kamara. Kamara, one of the most dynamic running backs in the NFL, was coming off a suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy but was expected to be the focal point of the offense once he returned. Alongside him, the team had a solid mix of veteran depth and potential with players like Jamaal Williams and rookie Kendre Miller.
**Alvin Kamara**: Kamara’s 2023 season has been a mixture of highs and lows. While he remains an elite pass-catching back and continues to be effective in short-yardage situations, his rushing numbers have been lackluster. Through the majority of the season, Kamara has averaged under 4.0 yards per carry, which is far below his career average of 4.6. Much of this can be attributed to the Saints’ offensive line struggles and a lack of consistency in offensive scheme, but the decline in Kamara’s ability to dominate as he once did is a notable concern.
**Jamaal Williams**: The Saints signed Williams to a three-year deal in the offseason, hoping he would bring a physical, between-the-tackles style of running to complement Kamara’s skill set. While Williams’ power and experience were valued, injuries have hampered his effectiveness in 2023. He was placed on injured reserve midseason and has not had the same type of impact he had with Detroit in the previous year. Williams was brought in to be a reliable short-yardage and goal-line back, but his inability to stay healthy has limited his value.
**Kendre Miller**: The rookie from TCU has shown flashes of brilliance in his first NFL season but has also displayed inconsistency typical of a young player. Miller has the vision, burst, and physical traits to be a long-term asset in New Orleans, but his development has been slow due to injuries and limited opportunities. Still, he remains a promising piece for the future.
**Taysom Hill**: Though not officially part of the running back group, Hill’s ability to contribute as a rusher is crucial to the Saints’ offensive attack. As a tight end and quarterback hybrid, Hill continues to be a threat in short-yardage and red-zone situations. His versatility remains a positive, but the Saints could benefit from having a more consistent option at running back, reducing Hill’s need to carry the ball as often.
### Areas of Concern for the Saints’ Running Back Group
While the Saints have talent in their backfield, there are several areas of concern that must be addressed during the offseason if the team hopes to return to contender status.
#### 1. **Inconsistent Running Game**
The Saints have struggled to establish a consistent ground game this season, ranking near the bottom of the league in rushing yards per game. While injuries to key players along the offensive line have played a role, the running backs themselves have not been able to make up for these struggles. Kamara, once known for his explosive plays and ability to break off big gains, has not been able to replicate that in recent years. Similarly, while Williams was supposed to be a bruiser to balance Kamara’s finesse, his inability to stay healthy has left the team without a reliable power back.
#### 2. **Aging and Declining Kamara**
Kamara’s production has declined over the past few seasons. In 2023, he has averaged just 3.7 yards per carry, his lowest figure since his rookie year in 2017. While he still excels as a receiver out of the backfield—he has caught over 60 passes in each of his first five seasons—the Saints need to ask themselves if Kamara can still be the centerpiece of the offense moving forward. At 28 years old, with his prime years possibly behind him and a large contract to match, the Saints must consider whether it’s time to explore other options or restructure their offense around a different kind of back.
#### 3. **Lack of Depth and Health Issues**
Behind Kamara, the Saints don’t have much reliable depth. Williams’ injury history and Kendre Miller’s rookie inconsistencies leave the team in a vulnerable position. The absence of depth means that if Kamara were to go down or continue to struggle, the Saints would have few options to rely on. This places a great deal of pressure on the front office to either bolster their running back depth via free agency or the draft in the offseason.
#### 4. **Red Zone and Short-Yardage Struggles**
One of the key issues for the Saints’ offense has been their inability to punch the ball in during red-zone and short-yardage situations. Despite having a solid offensive line and capable backs, the team has struggled to convert inside the 20-yard line. This highlights a potential lack of a true power back or goal-line back, an area where the Saints could improve significantly. While Hill has been used in these situations, relying on a quarterback-tight end hybrid to carry the ball too often could lead to wear and tear on his body, diminishing his value elsewhere.
### Potential Offseason Solutions
With these concerns in mind, the Saints must consider several potential moves during the offseason to improve their running back group.
#### 1. **Rebuild Around Kendre Miller**
Miller remains the most promising long-term option in the backfield. The Saints could look to build around him as their featured back, especially if Kamara continues to show signs of regression. The team could bring in a veteran to serve as a complementary piece or a backup, but Miller should be given every chance to develop into a workhorse back. His explosiveness and natural running ability make him a potential centerpiece for the offense moving forward.
#### 2. **Pursue a Power Running Back**
If Kamara is not the solution as a primary rusher, the Saints may want to target a physical, power running back in free agency or the draft. A bruising back could complement Miller’s style, providing the Saints with a reliable option in short-yardage and red-zone situations. There are several potential options available in free agency or the draft, and the Saints could look to add a complement to their existing backfield.
#### 3. **Consider Parting Ways with Kamara**
Although it’s a difficult decision, the Saints could consider moving on from Kamara, either via trade or restructuring his contract. The team could use the cap space to sign a younger, fresher option and reallocate resources to other positions of need. A trade could also help the Saints recoup value, especially if a team is willing to take on Kamara’s contract and give up draft capital in exchange.
#### 4. **Utilize Taysom Hill More Strategically**
While Hill is a unique weapon, the Saints could benefit from scaling back his rushing attempts in favor of getting more out of their traditional running backs. By using Hill more strategically in the passing game or as a dual-threat in key situations, they can reduce his workload and preserve his ability to contribute in other facets of the offense.
### Conclusion
The New Orleans Saints’ running back group is in a state of flux heading into the offseason. While Alvin Kamara remains a key piece, his decline in effectiveness, coupled with injury concerns for Jamaal Williams and inconsistencies from Kendre Miller, leaves the team with a number of important decisions to make. Whether they decide to rebuild around their young talent, pursue free-agent help, or make tough decisions about parting ways with Kamara, the Saints will need to revamp their running back group to get back to being a competitive team. With a strong draft class and several free-agent options on the market, there is hope that New Orleans can restore balance to their offense and once again establish a dominant running game.