The New Orleans Saints’ running back room is undergoing significant changes as the team prepares for the 2025 NFL season. Under new head coach Kellen Moore, known for his innovative offensive strategies, the Saints are reshaping their backfield to align with a more dynamic and versatile approach.
Alvin Kamara: The Veteran Leader
Alvin Kamara remains the cornerstone of the Saints’ running game. Entering the final years of his five-year, $75 million contract signed in 2020, Kamara continues to be a dual-threat weapon, contributing significantly in both rushing and receiving facets of the game. His experience and playmaking ability are invaluable assets to the team’s offense.
Emerging Talent: Kendre Miller and Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Kendre Miller, a 2023 third-round pick, is poised to take on a more prominent role in the backfield. After a promising rookie season, Miller’s development is crucial for the Saints’ ground attack. Additionally, the team re-signed Clyde Edwards-Helaire to a one-year contract. The former LSU standout and Super Bowl champion brings versatility and depth, having contributed both as a rusher and receiver during his tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs and briefly with the Saints in 2024.
New Additions: Devin Neal and Marcus Yarns
In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Saints selected Devin Neal, a standout running back from Kansas, in the sixth round. Neal’s performance during rookie minicamp showcased his potential to contribute immediately, particularly given his collegiate success and adaptability. Furthermore, the Saints signed undrafted free agent Marcus Yarns from Delaware. Yarns impressed scouts with his elite speed, recording a 4.45-second 40-yard dash, and his versatility as both a rusher and receiver. His ability to contribute on special teams could be a deciding factor in securing a roster spot.
Departures and Roster Adjustments
The Saints released veteran running back Jamaal Williams earlier in the offseason. Williams, who joined the team in 2023, struggled to find his footing in New Orleans, leading to his release and freeing up salary cap space. This move underscores the team’s commitment to refreshing the running back position with younger talent.
Strategic Outlook Under Coach Kellen Moore
With Kellen Moore at the helm, the Saints’ offense is expected to incorporate more creative and aggressive running schemes. Moore’s previous success with dynamic backfields suggests a potential increase in the utilization of running backs in various roles, including the controversial yet effective “Tush Push” play, which remains legal following a recent league vote. This strategic shift aims to maximize the strengths of the current roster and exploit defensive weaknesses.
Projected Depth Chart
As the Saints approach training camp, the projected running back depth chart is as follows:
1. Alvin Kamara – The primary back, leading in both rushing and receiving duties.
2. Kendre Miller – Expected to share significant carries and provide a power-running option.
3. Clyde Edwards-Helaire – Serving as a versatile backup with experience in high-pressure situations.
4. Devin Neal – A promising rookie looking to make an immediate impact.
5. Marcus Yarns – A potential special teams contributor and change-of-pace back.
The competition for roster spots will intensify as the preseason progresses, with each player aiming to solidify their role within Moore’s offensive system. The blend of veteran leadership and youthful exuberance in the running back room sets the stage for a dynamic and potentially explosive ground gam
e in the upcoming season.