Abram Smith’s first step towards making the Saints’ roster lies in his home state, where he needs a big game in front of his friends and family back home, via @DillySanders:
Texas native and former Baylor Bear Abram Smith will return home for his first professional preseason game when the New Orleans Saints are hosted by the Houston Texans on Saturday night. Smith was a priority undrafted free agent acquired earlier this offseason by the Saints.
Smith started his football career in Abilene, Texas, the hometown of Saints Assistant General Manager Jeff Ireland, where he was the best running back in school history at Abilene High School.
He then left to go to college at Baylor, where he had an interesting career on both sides of the ball. He found significant playing time as a junior as a linebacker, where he had 48 tackles, five of them for a loss. He moved back to the other side for his senior year where as a running back he accrued 1,601 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.
His best path to the Saints roster is as a running back who is a significant contributor on special teams. His experience as a linebacker makes it easy to see where he would have a leg up to some other running backs fighting for playing time. His biggest competition would be Dwayne Washington, who is a proven vet on special teams and a reliable depth running back. There is a future where the Saints do keep four running backs on roster, however, in which he has to battle with Devine Ozigbo and Tony Jones Jr.
Reports from camp are that he has not been able to separate himself yet, but he will have a great shot to earn some playing time on Saturday. That opportunity will come in front of plenty of friends and family back in his home state of Texas.
While the Saints move into their second day of padded practices, the offense could use a bounce back day, via @RossJacksonNOLA:
As the New Orleans Saints continue on to their second day of padded practices, the echo of the pads popping from day one is still ringing fresh on airline drive. After a dominant performance by the Saints defense, led by cornerback Paulson Adebo, the offense will be looking to answer on a rainy Tuesday morning. With that in mind, here are the three players we’ll be watching closely throughout today’s practice.
The Saints running backs room needs to prove itself behind Alvin Kamara, whether he misses a lot of time to suspension or not — via @RossJacksonNOLA:
While the value of running backs may come into question online each and every year throughout the draft process, their worth is never questioned on the football field. The New Orleans Saints drafted Alvin Kamara in 2017, and their entire offense changed because of him. There are no questions in the Big Easy around what a trusted back brings to a team.
However, at some point in the 2022 season the Saints may have to be ready for life without their superstar chess piece. Kamara could face a multi-game suspension following an offseason altercation. The case’s hearing has already been moved twice and is currently scheduled for Aug. 1. There is a possibility that the legal process continues to postpone and no discipline is handed down in time for the NFL to disseminate their own during the 2022 season. But the Saints should not plan for a best-case scenario here.
The running back room behind Alvin Kamara has some familiar faces. Special teams ace Dwayne Washington, last year’s preseason standout Tony Jones Jr. and of course Mark Ingram. Ingram is going into his twelfth NFL season, and was drafted by the Saints in 2011. Reunited with the team in 2021 after an offseason departure a couple years ago. Kamara and Ingram were a dynamic duo in 2017 and 2018, but does the veteran have enough left in the tank to be a lead back in Kamara’s place?
Maybe replacing Kamara’s snap share within the committee isn’t the right approach. Instead, New Orleans could look to replace Kamara with a committee. Another familiar back, Devine Ozigbo is back in the fold. His ability in the passing game could be of use not only in the potential absence of Kamara, but in rotation as well. But it’ll take multiple backs to replace the former Tennessee Volunteer’s production.
A lot of eyes will be on UDFA rookie running back Abram Smith throughout camp. The former Baylor Bear actually ended up playing linebacker for his first two seasons in Waco because of a shortage at the position. But last year, he finally got the chance to get snaps at running back and he took advantage of the opportunity. 257 carries, 1,601 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns later, he’s a New Orleans Saint. Smith will need to show he can produce in the passing game (13 catches for 75 receiving yards in 2021), pass protection, and special teams.
The Saints could choose to keep three backs or four depending on the inclusion of a fullback in this year’s offense. It feels like Ingram and Jones have the inside track to the larger offensive role while Washington, Ozigbo, and Smith could make the roster based on what they can contribute across different phases of the game. Have to imagine Smith’s linebacker experience helps him as a special term coverage unit member.
New Orleans could shake things up as well by bringing in another runner during camp. This offseason they have already taken a look at veterans like David Johnson, Sony Michel, and USFL MVP Darius Victor. Michel has signed with the Miami Dolphins since his visit but the other two backs are still available. The Saints would also look to roster cuts throughout the preseason to pounce on new options that may become available.
Lots of question marks around this position group for the Saints. Starting first and foremost with the developing legal situation around Kamara. One that will hopefully be resolved in time for the team to address the position group as needed.
Returning a lot of talent in the trenches, the Baylor Bears are among the most likely to repeat as conference champions in 2022 according to CBS Sports.
The Oklahoma Sooners are looking to get back on top of the Big 12 mountain after losses to Baylor and Oklahoma State kept the then six-time defending champions out of the conference title game. Baylor held on by the skin of their teeth to beat the Cowboys.
With Oklahoma in a transition, the Big 12 has quietly become as competitive at the top as it has been in several years. As many as five teams could have legitimate Big 12 title shots in 2022. However, the Bears are in a great position to repeat with what should be one of the best line groups in the country on both ends. Baylor returns every member of the two deep on the defensive line and add elite Tulsa transfer Jaxon Player to the rotation. The four top offensive line starters are back, too. New starting quarterback Blake Shapen will make or break the Bears’ title chances after beating out veteran Gerry Bohanon in camp. Early returns are strong. – Jeyarajah, CBS Sports
The Bears lost several key players to their 2021 run like running backs Abram Smith and Tristan Ebner, wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, and defensive standouts Jalen Pitre and Terrel Bernard. But as Jeyarajah mentions, they’re returning a ton of talent in the trenches and that’s where Baylor looks to have the advantage on paper in the Big 12.
Oklahoma’s replacing all four starters on the defensive line and two starters on the offensive line. There has been a ton of turnover on the coaching staff and in the starting lineup.
The Sooners will be in contention in 2022, but the questions that linger for the Sooners are how quickly they can adopt Brent Venables’ defense and how quickly they build chemistry on offense.
The Sooners have done a fantastic job of attacking the transfer portal to add veteran players to help supplement a roster that lost 11 players to the NFL and several more to the transfer portal. Led by Dillon Gabriel and Jeffery Johnson, the Sooners added as many as seven players through the transfer portal that could start for them in 2022.
Just under two months until the start of the 2022 regular season, the Oklahoma Sooners are considered the favorite to win the Big 12, but they’ll face a stiff challenge from the Baylor Bears, the Texas Longhorns, and the Oklahoma State Cowboys. As Jeyarajah mentions, the conference is as deep and competitive at the top as it’s been in a long time.
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7 toughest cuts from our latest New Orleans Saints roster projection
It’s a good time to take stock of the New Orleans Saints’ roster, with minicamp behind us and a monthlong wait until training camp kicks off in late July. We’ve seen all of the big moves in free agency and the 2022 NFL draft. Anything else is going to be minor tweaks and touchups. We have a good idea of what the starting lineup will look like. We explored it all in our 53-man roster projection, which you can find here broken down by position groups.
There were other tough decisions that ultimately didn’t materialize into anything — is Zack Baun finally ready to get on the field with the rest of the defense? — but for the most part we got down to the final ten or twelve roster cuts without much debate. In the end, though, we put together a squad that looks formidable. Here are the seven toughest cuts from that process:
The Saints announced agreements with 17 undrafted free agents, adding multiple impact rookies at defensive back, wide receiver, and along the offensive line:
The New Orleans Saints announced agreements with 17 undrafted free agents, adding multiple impact rookies at defensive back, wide receiver, and along the offensive line. Some of these players are in great positions to make the team, but they’ve all got a long summer of hard work ahead to build their case. And there will be more roster moves ahead — these 17 signings will put the Saints over the offseason 90-man roster limit, so some players will be let go to open up space. In the meantime, here are the newest members of the black and gold (see here for the five players picked in the 2022 NFL draft):
The Houston Texans are at an optimistic point for the first time in the last two years. Here are four ways Nick Caserio can blow the 2022 NFL draft.
The NFL draft hasn’t been fun for Houston Texans fans since 2019 when the club had four picks in the top-100 and a real general manager at the helm.
Not only do the Texans have six picks in the top-110 in 2022, but they have a general manager still in a bit of a honeymoon phase in Nick Caserio. The former New England Patriots director of player personnel hasn’t had any home runs yet while leading the Texans, but has found ways to get on base.
Here are four ways Caserio can strikeout and ruin the optimism for Texans fans during the 2022 NFL draft.
Former Baylor Bears RB Abram Smith joined the “Texans Talk Podcast” with @johnhcrumpler to talk about the draft and what he could bring to Houston.
In this special edition of the “Texans Talk Podcast,” former Baylor Bears running back Abram Smith joins host John Crumpler to talk about what he expects for the NFL draft, what he could contribute to the Houston Texans’ backfield, and a lot more in this exclusive interview.
The 2022 NFL draft is under 168 hours away. The anticipation is building, and Texans fans are anxious about what talent general manager Nick Caserio will add.
Be sure to subscribe to the Texans Talk Podcast on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, and iHeart. Also be sure to follow John on Twitter at @johnhcrumpler and the Texans Wire on Twitter at @thetexanswire.
Baylor Bears runningback Abram Smith talks about how he’d be an aggressive runner for the Houston Texans
The Texans Wire had the opportunity to briefly sit down with Baylor running back Abram Smith. Smith had an incredible senior campaign where he ran for 1601 yards and 12 touchdowns. This was followed up by a good showing at the Senior Bowl that has all but guaranteed he’ll hear his name called during the NFL Draft next week.
Smith opened the interview portraying a gentle person. He talked about his desire to play for the local Baylor Bears since he was a middle schooler. Smith cites fond memories of his offer and time as a ball boy for the Bears.
“I did a lot of camps growing up… Baylor was my go-to school. I have a picture from high school just standing in McClain stadium with the caption ‘future Baylor Bear.'”
A man that got to fulfill a lifetime dream playing for the Baylor Bears and helping them to one of their best seasons in shcool history at 12-2… Smith now tries to pay it forward. He’s involved with the community in Ablon and hopes to help young football players like himself.
“I like to talk to teams and talk to younger kids, I hope to influence them in the right way. Any NFL team is going to get that, somebody who’s real. Someone who understands when they should be an influence and when they shouldn’t be.”
Make no mistake, however, there’s a totally different beast to be had on the field. A kind man, Smith is the opposite on the football field. He’s the type of violent runner that could make his presence felt as a rookie.
Smith was forced into a variety of roles during his time at Baylor. His first year in Waco was a redshirt campaign where the Bears only won 1 game. Others seasons included anywhere from 2 wins to 11 wins. Somehow, he was also asked to transition to linebacker.
Although a tough transition, Smith learned something from it. He noted his special team experience as something that made it possible. Something that potentially started to unlock the aggression we saw as a runner.
“I learned to smack dudes left and right on kickoff so when the transition to linebacker came I took the opportunity and ran with it… got to start 4 games”
It was a humble interaction from someone who was the leading tackler in Baylor’s final 4 games of 2020. He tallied 48 tackles total on that season and filled in more than admirably for someone who was a career running back.
Now, even having moved back to runningback, the film shows this part of his story. Smith runs like the linebacker he was forced to be during the 2020 campaign. He embraces contact, cuts without hesitation, and is almost always finding additional yardage on the field. When asked about the style, Smith agreed.
“I’m a physical, downhill runner, a bruiser with some speed… I can do it all and will bring that to any NFL team and to the Texans.”
When challenged about any limitations that may remain, especially with how different the offensive scheme projects in Houston with offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, Smith showed the upmost confidence. Wide zone or power scheme, he says he’s ready to make the transition. This bodes very well for a Houston Texans squad that may be looking towards him on the third day of the draft.
The NFL draft experience is usually a bizarre one for prospects where they’re poked, prodded, and questioned in ways they’ve never been before. Smith talked about the process like a true professional. He raved about the privilege of meeting NFL coaches like Mike Tomlin and turned introspectively when asked about bizarre questions that come up.
“I didn’t get funny questions, but I give funny answers… I tell people I’m the best Pokémon trainer in the world… I always go with the fire types. You can go around everywhere and just deal out critical hits. When I play Super Smash Bros… I use the boxer, Little Mac.”
Ironically, his Nintendo characters and even the choice of Pokémon capture the aggression that is so evident when watching Smith play.
The former Baylor Bear could be an incredible addition to the running back room and a value draft pick for new General Manager Nick Caserio. We’ll see if the team recognizes how much value they’d gain in keeping Smith in-state.
Vikings are eyeing Georgia’s freakish DT in the latest seven-round mock draft
I love mock drafts.
These aren’t trying to be predictive in a vacuum but rather be predictive based on the situation. Each of the first five editions of these mock drafts have done just that, and this one is no different.
There is a high likelihood of a top talent being available at No. 12. Would the Minnesota Vikings take a great player at a position they don’t need? This explores that exact scenario.
