Saints cutting RB Abram Smith was a logical move

The New Orleans Saints recently released running back Abram Smith ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, and it was a decision that made sense for both sides.

With Alvin Kamara set to play the entire 2022 season, the Saints have avoided a potential looming problem in their running back corps.

Heading into Week 1, Kamara is the projected starter and Mark Ingram is his backup, with last year’s special teamer Dwayne Washington and Tony Jones Jr. serving as RB3 and RB4 respectively.

Smith, an undrafted free agent out of Baylor, showed promise in three preseason games, and his release doesn’t necessarily mean he’s out of the Saints’ future indefinitely. Yet this move was ultimately the best decision for both sides: NOLA trims down the roster and keeps its familiar faces, and Smith gets a second shot to start his NFL career on another team.

Saints made the right decision by cutting running back Abram Smith

Barring any injuries, the Saints’ running back unit is set for the 2022 season.

Smith set plenty of records back at Baylor yet didn’t do enough in preseason to beat out incumbents Washington and Jones for a final reserve spot. He can now test the waters at a more RB-needy team and potentially make more of an impact elsewhere, as the Saints should be satisfied with both the amount of talent and depth in their running back room in 2022.

That’s not to say the Saints won’t ever see Smith again. If Smith doesn’t find a future home on a roster this week, he can still join NOLA’s practice squad and continue honing his skills in the backfield.

The Saints clearly liked what they saw from Smith to keep him on the roster this long, but ultimately he poses as one of many necessary roster cuts to come.