New Orleans Saints: Latavius Murray could prove invaluable if Alvin Kamara holds out

The New Orleans Saints have to start paying their star-studded 2017 draft class, and it may start with superstar running back Alvin Kamara.

There haven’t been reports that Alvin Kamara will hold out, but given the state of the league and how players want to be paid, it wouldn’t be the craziest thing for the New Orleans Saints to have an insurance policy in place.

Latavius Murray is that insurance.

Murray is under contract for the next three seasons. While many teams have an unreliable backup running back, the Saints are able to post a starter-worthy asset as their backup. He proved himself this past season as well, helping calm the fears of many Saints’ faithful.

During the 2019 season, Murray rushed for 637 yards. Technically starting only eight games, Murray, when he was able to get over 20 touches, totaled three digits in rushing yards, an impressive amount for any running back around the league.

Last offseason, Murray signed a four-year deal for just over $14 million.

His signing could save the Saints a ton of money if they feel they can lowball Kamara. Given their star-studded draft class of 2017, the Saints will have to decide to who to pay with assets like Marcus Williams and Marshon Lattimore also holdout candidates.

Entering his seventh season in 2020, Murray, at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, has every physical trait a team would want for an every-down running back. While the talent may not be there compared to Kamara, Murray as a replacement is everything a team can ask for.

Obviously, the Saints should hope that it doesn’t get to the point where Kamara hold outs. That’s never the ideal scenario, but if it happens, the Saints will still have a chance to thrive knowing Murray is in the backfield.

To rest assured Saints’ fans, your team will be fine no matter what happens in the backfield.