Getty Image / James Gilbert
This year’s NFL Draft saw many of its running backs end up in some less than ideal situations to start their careers.
Outside of Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs, there are few running backs with a clear path to a starting job in 2023.
Zach Charbonnet will be competing with Kenneth Walker.
Tyjae Spears is stuck behind Derrick Henry.
Kendre Miller joined a New Orleans Saints backfield that already has Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams.
Despite the crowded backfield, it may not be long until we see Miller getting meaningful touches if a recent comment he made is accurate.
He told the media that he believes he can do the same things as Alvin Kamara.
Ready to come in and work.
✍️ https://t.co/aXjJ2OrAv8 | @JohnDeShazier pic.twitter.com/kL4c0mL0Ib
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 18, 2023
“How they use him in the pass game, that’s pretty cool. I feel like I can step in and pretty much do the same thing.”
Kamara is one of the most unique running backs in the NFL. While there re plenty of running backs who have built their careers on their ability to catch the football, there are very few that have become stars because of their receiving ability despite never reaching 100 rushing yards in a season.
Kendre Miller’s football career has seen him take a very different approach to the game. Over the course of his career at TCU, Miller caught just 29 passes for 229 yards.
Meanwhile he had plenty of success as a runner last season. Miller ran for 1399 yards and 17 touchdowns while maintaining an average of 6.2 yards per carry.
While it may look like Miller has a lot to contend with in this backfield, he may not actually have to wait all that long to try and prove himself right.
Kamara is still likely to face a suspension from the NFL at some point this season, which would open up a receiving role in the backfield alongside Williams, who would likely handle most of the rushing work.
Between Kamara’s off-field issues and his expensive contract, the New Orleans Saints certainly wouldn’t mind having somebody on a rookie deal come along and replace him.