Saints Believe Rookie Kendre Miller Can Contribute Immediately

With a multi-game suspension for star running back Alvin Kamara still expected, the Saints believe their 2023 third-rounder can have an impact his rookie season.

Now that the New Orleans Saints have greater clarity around running back Alvin Kamara's legal situation, they await discipline from the NFL. While the expectation is that the league punishment will still yield a multi-game suspension, some are hopeful that a lesser number of games will be given. In any case, the Saints look to be comfortable and confident in their newly revamped running back room with high expectations around rookie back Kendre Miller and veteran free agency acquisition Jamaal Williams

Jun 13, 2023; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (25) looks on during minicamp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

But it is Miller that soon steps into the forefront of that conversation. After not being able to participate in any of the team's offseason activities including rookie minicamp, OTAs and mandatory minis, Miller is expected to be a full participant as training camp opens in just a couple of weeks. 

Without having any previous body of work to interpret at the NFL level like there is with Williams, Miller's immediate impact may be a little enigmatic for some. But for the Saints, they have a clear vision of how the former TCU Horned Frog can make his presence known right off the jump.

"The first thing is that he has the ability to finish the long-ball," running backs coach Joel Thomas told me during OTAs. "You saw that against Texas and some of the other games. He's got this nice, smooth patience about him. He doesn't panic in the hole. You always feel like he's falling forward. He's got good pad leverage. His feet aren't heavy. he talks about the size of his feet, but they aren't heavy and they don't get stuck in the ground. He's got good contact balance."

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

So, it is clear to see that the young back has a lot of the tools that the Saints covet at the position. Particularly Thomas' references to contact balance and patience stand out. Those are two large factors in the biggest Kamara plays in recent history. For instance, both were on full display against the Green Bay Packers in 2020 when he evaded six tacklers on his way to a 52-yard touchdown reception. Wherein the star back also showed patience to let blockers race downfield.

Now, expecting Miller to have that level of impact immediately would be a bit unfair. Especially for a player that has only caught 29 passes in his collegiate career. However, just because a team uses a player a particular way in their system, does not mean that player cannot be successful in that role elsewhere. The Saints see the potential of a versatile and highly explosive back in Miller.

As for where his next steps, Thomas was very clear that with Miller not being able to participate until training camp, he will have some ground to make up ahead of Week 1. Calling the period "a race to get him prepared." But there seems to be nothing but confidence in Miller to get there.

"He was a top-5 (running back) easily," Thomas said of the team's thoughts on Miller as a draft prospect. "Film doesn't lie."