4 Saints players facing a crucial 2023 training camp

Alvin Kamara, RB

Alvin Kamara? Really? Why on earth is he on this list?

Hear me out.

We know what the Alvin Kamara of a few years ago could do, but what about this version? What about the version that's been in headlines after an assault charge? What about the version coming off, statistically, the worst season he's had in the past three years?

In 2022, Kamara posted career lows in rushing yards (897), rushing yards per game (59.8) and total touchdowns (4). Those came on the second-most carries he's had in a season, yet.

Kamara turns 28 in late July, and he's spent six seasons as a mostly full-time running back, doing it all. This is right around the age where a guy will hit a wall, especially one who has been used as much as New Orleans has used Kamara.

The Saints also signed last year's rushing touchdown leader, Jamaal Williams, who clearly has plenty of juice, energy and charisma to carry the load in that back field. If Kamara doesn't prove he can be the guy he was a few years back, he'll start to see his job slowly diminish.