5 New Orleans Saints players to keep an eye on in NFL preseason Week 1

4. Kendre Miller, HB

With Alvin Kamara set to miss time during the 2023 season, the Saints will be turning to Jamaal Williams who they added on a very team-friendly deal this offseason.

Williams has always been a solid rotational back but finally got his chance to be a workhorse with the Detroit Lions in 2022. He made the most of his chance by running for 1,066 yards and setting a franchise record with 17 touchdowns on the ground.

Detroit decided to go in a different direction and wound up selecting Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round of the NFL Draft. For the Saints, they have to be thrilled that Detroit wanted to get younger since they have a trusted veteran — who doesn't have as much wear on his body as a normal 28-year-old back since he primarily worked in a committee.

With all that being said, the Saints still don't want to go into any games where Williams is a bell cow. Instead, they would like to do what they do best and use multiple backs. While Williams and Kamara are there, they'll be set but they're going to need rookie Kendre Miller to step up while Kamara is out.

That's why he's a player to watch in this preseason opener.

Miller, a wildly productive back from TCU, has all the traits you look for in an NFL running back. Now, he just needs to prove he can get the job done when given the opportunity.