In a list that was surely compiled before the recent performance-enhancing drugs suspension, New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram landed at 43 in the recent NFL.com Top 100 Players for 2018.
Mark Ingram Ranked 43rd on NFL Top 100 List
The Saints look to be loaded this year and should challenge for a playoff spot even with Ingram serving a four-game suspension. In the NFL.com yearly player rankings, Ingram falls at number 43. If he were available for all 16 games and produced stats comparable to the last two years, sure. However, the Saints face the Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Bucs, and New York Giants in the first three games.
The Saints have only one ‘supposed’ easy game this year, against the Cleveland Browns in week 2. Ingram will find the back 3/4s of the schedule full of historically tough run stuffing teams. If he cannot come back in top form, he risks losing even more touches to Alvin Kamara.
Going into a contract year, Ingram risks falling out of these rankings after just making his debut this year. The Saints traded a running back last season once Sean Payton was comfortable with Kamara. If Kamara seizes upon the opportunity as a lead back, Ingram may not be as cheerful as he was last season.
Following a drug suspension, Ingram cannot risk a lethargic season where he never gets up to speed. Without a fully engaged Ingram, the Saints cannot reach their full potential. Ingram was skipping OTAs while seeking a new contract. In the last year of his deal, this PED suspension has now already cost him millions with free agency still a year away.
Perhaps with that pressure in mind, Ingram has relayed that he will attend Saints mini-camp activities until he is banned from facilities until Week 5. This comes after he has already missed most, if not all, of the voluntary portion of the off-season workout program. As Sean Payton told NFL.com:
“He won’t miss the mandatory minicamp. He’s indicated he’ll be here for that.”
Ingram will need to be up to speed with all the new concepts Payton and Drew Brees will have implemented in the first four weeks. If he fails to come back in sync with the team, Mickey Loomis could look to cut bait for draft picks and defensive reinforcements. Kamara made Peterson expendable.
Foolishness with drug use might provide Kamara with another chance while relegating Ingram off of the next top 100 list. Ingram is about to turn 30 and makes seven times the amount Kamara makes now. Kamara has a few more years at a cap figure under $1 million. Ingram is at $4 million and wants a raise.
In Ingram’s first three seasons he never ran for more than 602 yards or five touchdowns. Kamara surpassed those numbers his rookie season. Ingram has only played consecutive full seasons the last two years. Ingram may have made the NFL Top 100 list at 43 but in no way is his contract and baggage the 43rd most valuable asset moving past the 2018 season.
Ingram should enjoy this recognition while it lasts. His recent suspension has already tainted the achievement. It may have also signaled the end of Loomis and the Saints feeling any need to give Ingram a contract extension.
