With glaring needs throughout the roster, the Saints must leave the offseason with upgrades in those areas, especially at running back.
Near the middle of the 2025 NFL regular season, it seemed like the New Orleans were set to have another offseason with nearly every position on the roster being a need. This changed when they started winning games, and QB Tyler Shough was playing like a franchise QB. It seemed players who may not have been getting highlighted in the losses were thriving in the wins, and although there are still a good number of roster needs, the list is smaller.
One of the biggest disappointments this entire season, and one that was not fixed when the Saints began winning games, was the running game. This was a missing piece of the offense, and it made Shough and HC Kellen Moore's job much harder. Alvin Kamara was dealing with injuries all season, Kendre Miller tore his ACL in week 7, Devin Neal was put on IR after suffering an injury in Week 15, and the offensive line really struggled at run blocking.
Audric Estime was the starter after Neal's injury and made some big plays, but he was very inconsistent.
Why Improving the Running Game Would Unlock the Offense
Because the running game was missing at times, the offense had to rely on Shough. Although he succeeded under that pressure, it's not sustainable. Mistakes become more frequent, and it sends a message to Shough that he has to be the hero. This can't happen, and having a great running game will prevent this next season.
A great example of this is the Buffalo Bills. Obviously, Josh Allen is one of the best QBs in the NFL, but what really allows him to play at his highest level is RB James Cook. With opposing defenses focused on stopping the run, it opens up the offense for Allen to dominate in the passing game, and when defenses focus on the passing game, Cook can dominate. It's a perfect symbiotic relationship.
The Saints can do this, but they may not have the players to pull it off, especially with injuries. So they must look for new options this offseason.
RB Free Agents and Draft Prospects the Saints Could Target
Looking at some of the directions the Saints could take this offseason to find their next RB, there are some excellent players available.
Starting off in free agency, some of the top names available are Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker, and Travis Etienne. If the Saints had the opportunity to choose one of these options, Walker would probably be the top option.
The other choice the Saints could go with is the NFL Draft, and my goodness, there could be the ideal option at pick 8. Jeremiyah Love is a top-tier RB prospect, and he may be the best player in the draft class. His mix of athleticism, speed, and elusiveness will make every offensive coach in the NFL want him on their roster. Love can take over games and carry an offense, which, for the Saints, is something clearly missing.