David Latham of LastWordOnSports said that the New Orleans Saints are one of the four teams that could sign recently released running back Antonio Gibson. While he is a respected player, the Saints should avoid bringing him on.
Latham says that the team should add Gibson because he can make life easier for Tyler Shough and Alvin Kamara. "He's one of the greatest players in New Orleans Saints history, but time comes for us all. The former third-round pick looked like a shell of himself last year, and now that he’s entering his age-31 season, his best days are likely behind him...If nothing else, having Gibson in the backfield could ease Kamara’s workload and keep him fresh deeper into the season."
The best of Gibson's career might be behind him. Since rushing for 1,037 yards in 2021, he has yet to have a season with more than 546. Additionally, he didn't even play a majority of the 2025 season, having torn his ACL five weeks into the season. Prioritizing incoming rookies over Gibson makes much more sense
The Saints need to draft a running back this April
Latham has the right idea. The Saints need to bolster that room. Gibson just isn't the answer. There's other free agents and other incoming rookies. The most notable option Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love, who was a Heisman finalist last season. In fact, he did so well in 2025 that he's a player who might be drafted before the Saints are even on the clock with the eighth overall pick. That's bad news for fans yearning to see Love in the black and gold.
If the Saints miss on him or decide to draft someone else, they wouldn't be missing their only shot at a running back. There's still other players at the position that could greatly benefit the room.
Jadarian Price, also from Notre Dame, might be the second-best running back in the draft this year. Serving as the backup to Love, he had an average of six yards per carry en route to a first-team All-American nomination. He's someone who's projected to be in the mid-to-late second round. Then there's Arkansas's Mike Washington, who was second-team All-SEC last year and the fastest 40-yard dash among running backs at the combine, who is projected to go in the fourth round.
If the Saints pass on running back in free agency, then the position should be at the top of their draft board. Behind Kamara, who isn't getting any younger, the depth is a big fat question mark. Kendre Miller is coming off of yet another season ending injury of his career. Devin Neal and Audric Estime are both are still relatively unproven.
The Saints are unlikely to walk into next season with that same bunch. Whether it's a big or small addition in free agency or the draft, they could benefit from an injection of talent at running back.