How RB Kendre Miller Fits the Saints' Offense
Running back was a clear need for the New Orleans Saints this offseason, and the team has not ignored it. It added not only veteran running back Jamaal Williams, who paced the NFL with 17 rushing touchdowns last season, but now draft TCU back Kendre Miller No. 71 overall in the NFL Draft. A pair of clear complements to versatile star Alvin Kamara. But for the Saints clearly have other plans in mind.
Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; TCU Horned Frogs running back Kendre Miller (33) against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
"We felt that having that guy that can get the tough yards for us was important," head coach Dennis Allen said. "As much of anything is just trying to take a little but of that load off of Alvin." It seems reasonable that New Orleans will be happy to rotate three backs in 2023, but they may have to maximize Miller sooner than later in the passing game if Kamara does have to miss games due to an anticipated suspension lingering.
Miller has only 26 career catches from his days at TCU, but it does not look like that is an evaluation of his ability to contribute with his hands. In fact, he can be seen picking passes up off the turf, reaching outside of his frame to wrangle screen passes and more. One of Miller's most impressive ability is how quickly he gets north and south after the catch.
He is a remarkably explosive player as well. The Athletic's Dane Brugler highlighted in his annual draft guide that the TCU back contributed at least one explosive rush (a run play gaining 20 or more yards) in 12 of his 14 2022 appearances. Big plays int he run game were lacking in the Saints offense in 2023. Adding a player that can be a one-cut highlight reel on any given down in Miller, a player that can handle the tough yards in Williams and therefore opening up Kamara to be used more in space should do nothing less than line up big moment after big moment in 2023.
TCU's running back Kendre Miller (33) runs with the ball against Texas Tech, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth.
The biggest concern around Miller will be his right knee injury which kept him out of the National Championship game and the testing opportunities with the Scouting Combine and TCU's Pro Day. However, his ability as an athlete is very clear on film. He is a patient runner with excellent vision and balance who has the long speed necessary to break away for big runs. One of the other standout qualities of Miller is that he has a very reliable habit of falling forward.
If Miller can prove to be the asset his new head coach believes he can be in the passing game and if his backfield partner Williams achieves his goal of improving in that area of the game as well, it will allow the Saints to stay one step ahead of their opposition no matter which back in toting the rock. Miller expects to be good to go for training camp, at which time it will become a little more clear how much opportunity he will earn his rookie season. But the long-term implications of this pick are clear if he pans out. At just 20 years old, Miller could turn out to be a big part of the future at the position in New Orleans.
