Eno Benjamin Chance For Role in Crowded New Orleans Backfield
The New Orleans Saints have had an extremely aggressive offseason. One area that got a much-needed upgrade was the running back position. The Saints signed Jamaal Williams in free agency after a 1,000-yard season and a league-high 17 touchdowns with Detroit. They also used a third-round choice on TCU star Kendre Miller.
Yes, the Saints still have Alvin Kamara, the league's most versatile player at the position. Kamara led the team with 897 yards rushing, but he had a career-worst four total touchdowns and reached the end zone in only two games. His production as a receiver has also drastically dropped in the last two years.
One reason why Kamara's effectiveness has diminished has been the lack of a backfield threat to complement him. Williams and Miller bring the young legs that the Saints have lacked behind their star back. With Kamara facing at least a six-game league suspension in 2023, the Saints will need more at the position.
Perhaps this late-season addition to the roster last year could have a say in the finality of the depth chart.
RB - Eno Benjamin
Oct 20, 2022; Arizona Cardinals running back Eno Benjamin (26) runs past New Orleans Saints linebacker Zack Baun (53). Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY
Benjamin entered the NFL as a seventh-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2020 NFL Draft. Over his last two collegiate seasons at Arizona State, Benjamin rushed for 2,725 yards with 26 touchdowns while adding 77 catches for 610 yards and another four scores.
Benjamin made the Cardinals roster as a rookie but was inactive for every game of the 2020 season. He'd see action in nine games as a third-string back in 2021, picking up 160 yards from scrimmage and scoring once in 40 touches.
Injuries to James Connor and Darrel Williams moved Benjamin up the depth chart for the Cardinals in 2022. He'd get a career-high 37 offensive snaps in Weeks 2 and 5 before getting his first career start and 62 offensive snaps against the Seahawks in Week 6.
Benjamin eclipsed all of his career-best numbers when Arizona faced the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night in Week 7. He was the game's leading rusher, ripping through the Saints defense for 92 yards and a score on 12 carries and another four catches for 21 yards.
Despite that strong performance, Benjamin's role in the Arizona offense diminished over the next three games. The Cardinals surprisingly released him after Week 10. He was immediately picked up by the Houston Texans, but saw just three carries in five games before being released again.
New Orleans picked up Benjamin off waivers, where he finished the final four weeks. He played a total of 12 offensive snaps over the last two games, rushing for 13 yards on four carries and catching one pass for nine yards.
At 5'9" and 207-Lbs., Benjamin delivers a solid pop as an inside runner and offers versatility as a pass catcher and decent elusiveness in the open field. He doesn't have great change-of-direction creativity and doesn't show great natural instincts out of a pro-set formation.
Jan 1, 2023; New Orleans Saints running back Eno Benjamin (31) runs against the Philadelphia Eagles. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The 24-year-old Benjamin possesses the NFL experience that Kendre Miller and undrafted rookies SaRodorick Thompson and Ellis Merriweather lack entering offseason camps. Unlike in previous years, however, Benjamin isn't a player past their prime and gives the team youth well down the depth chart. He also has experience as a kick returner, which could be another key to earning a roster spot.
Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller will get most of the work behind Kamara and will likely split the touches while he's suspended. Eno Benjamin will also have opportunities through OTAs and early in training camp to earn a role on the depth chart and could give the Saints a younger backfield than they've had in several years.
