Running back has quickly turned into one of the most discussed positions on the New Orleans Saints this offseason. In just the last week, the Saints have signed Travis Etienne. Suspicions around Alvin Kamara being traded or calling it quits have risen. Now, the Saints are one of the few teams who specifically went to Arkansas Pro Day specifically for running back Mike Washington Jr. The latter piece of news is bad news for Kendre Miller.
Quiet as kept, the Saints have a lot of bodies in the room. As it stands, it's Etienne, Kamara, Miller, Devin Neal and Audric Estime. That's already more players than they'll keep on the initial roster. The Saints tend to keep three running backs on their active roster, but special teams ability could push them to hold on to four. They also brought in Ty Chandler, who will likely be a return specialist. Do the math. That's two players on the outside looking in.
The idea of adding Washington further complicates matters. That's a move that may or may not be on the table depending on Kamara's future with the team. Washington gained notice from fans as the fastest running back in the NFL Scouting Combine and has risen as a talking point since. He'd be an option for the Saints in the mid rounds.
Mike Washington Jr. will force the Saints to start the clock on Kendre Miller
Drafting Washington is a move that would likely close Miller's chapter with the Saints. It could also impact Neal and Estime, but Miller is a player who is already on the hot seat. Kellen Moore gave him a blank slate in 2025, and the running back once again suffered a season ending injury. It's an unforutnate trend for Miller in his career, and it's the reason he may not be on next year's roster.
If Kamara is on the team, it's likely a simple outcome. Etienne, Kamara and Washington will fill the roster, and the Saints will have to decide if they want to keep a fourth back. So for argument's sake, let's operate as if Kamara is off the team, leaving at least one vacancy.
Under these circumstances, it becomes a triple threat between Miller, Neal and Estime. Miller's injury history makes it hard to look at him on an even playing field. Though Neal ended the year on injured reserve, it felt like an injury he would have returned from if the Saints were playing for something. Miller is the more trustworthy player, and trust makes this a difficult conversation.
Miller's injury history makes it difficult to take his training camp performance at face value. He'll need to be far from Neal. Neal impressed in his rookie season, and his hard running style would match up with Etienne well. As it currently stands, Neal should be considered the front runner between those three running backs. If it comes down to one spot, it's hard to see Miller making the cut over Neal.