Just how good can the New Orleans Saints running backs be? That’s a question Klint Kubiak is setting out to answer by installing his new offense, which will utilize more zone blocking concepts to open lanes and get offensive linemen out in space.
The Saints were below-average in every rushing metric last year, with Taysom Hill’s 401 rushing yards accounting for more of the team’s 21st-ranked total than either Jamaal Williams or Kendre Miller. But it’ll be Alvin Kamara taking point again. So how does that group stack up around the league?
ESPN’s Mike Clay ranked the running backs rooms of all 32 teams after free agency and the NFL draft. Here’s where the Saints landed among their peers:
Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, Royce Freeman
Zack Moss, Chase Brown, Trayveon Williams, Chris Evans
Zamir White, Ameer Abdullah, Alexander Mattison, Dylan Laube
Devin Singletary, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Eric Gray, Gary Brightwell
Jonathon Brooks, Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, Rashaad Penny
Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, Nyheim Hines, D’Onta Foreman
Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, Myles Gaskin
James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson, Darrynton Evans
Rachaad White, Bucky Irving, Chase Edmonds, Sean Tucker
Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, Julius Chestnut, Hassan Haskins
James Conner, Trey Benson, Michael Carter, Emari Demercado
Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, Jawhar Jordan
Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris, Jamycal Hasty
D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Khalil Herbert, Travis Homer
Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Ronnie Rivers, Boston Scott
Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby, D’Ernest Johnson, Keilan Robinson
Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, Chris Rodriguez, Jeremy McNichols
Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd, AJ Dillon, Emanuel Wilson
Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson, Aaron Shampklin
Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, Kendre Miller, Jordan Mims
Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Jeff Wilson Jr.
Jonathan Taylor, Trey Sermon, Evan Hull, Tyler Goodson
Derrick Henry, Keaton Mitchell, Justice Hill, Rasheen Ali
Saquon Barkley, Kenneth Gainwell, Will Shipley, Tyrion Davis-Price
Breece Hall, Israel Abanikanda, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis
Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh, George Holani
Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Jase McClellan, Avery Williams
Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki