Few players have had a worse training camp than Saints running back Kendre Miller, and it’s gotten so bad that New Orleans could cut their third-round pick after just one season. Selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Miller had the opportunity to be the heir to the aging Alvin Kamara. Instead, the running back spent his rookie season buried on the depth chart behind Kamara and a remarkably inefficient Jamaal Williams. The running back battled through knee and hamstring injuries as a rookie, and he re-aggravated the hamstring injury early in training camp.
The old saying goes that the best ability is availability and head coach Dennis Allen isn’t hiding his frustration with Miller’s health status. Back in late July, he said that Miller must “figure out how to stay healthy” if he wants to make the team. That didn’t happen, and the head coach recently gave a new bit of audio that makes it sound like Kendre Miller could be cut before the start of the season.
#Saints HC Dennis Allen on Kendre Miller:
“All I can go off of is what I’ve been able to evaluate and, quite frankly, since we drafted him, there hasn’t been a whole lot of new information other than what I saw on the college tape, because he hasn’t been available.”
“He’s… pic.twitter.com/tSRDrAh7nD
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) August 21, 2024
It’s rare to hear a coach this outspoken against a player with no known off-field issues, especially when he’s a young player with decent draft capital. Cutting a third-round pick after one season isn’t common, but it’s not unheard of. If the Saints cut Kendre Miller, don’t be surprised if the running back resurfaces with the Kansas City Chiefs or Los Angeles Chargers.
Saints Could Cut Kendre Miller – Chiefs, Chargers Could Be Interested
The Kansas City Chiefs are the betting favorites to win the Super Bowl and feature one of the strongest rosters in the league. However, there is no such thing as a perfect roster, and the Chiefs could use more help at the running back position. Isiah Pacheco is the unquestioned starter in this backfield, but the RB2 position is up for grabs. Undrafted free agent Carson Steele is making his case for the job with a strong preseason, but Kansas City should look for a more proven option.
Kendre Miller doesn’t have much NFL success to his name, but the cut candidate has a strong collegiate career. While injuries have kept him off the field, the TCU product offers some upside for the reigning Super Bowl champions. By its very nature, the running back position is prone to injuries, and Kansas City must find better depth behind Pacheco. Miller won’t singlehandedly determine whether or not this team wins their third Super Bowl in as many seasons, but he could earn an important role down the stretch.
Running the Football
Nobody believes in the power of the run game more than Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh. The former Michigan head coach wants to beat teams with a power running game, but he doesn’t have the best group of backs to work with. Gus Edwards is nothing special, while former second-round pick J.K. Dobbins is coming off a season-ending Achilles injury. While he is practicing, Achilles injuries are historically a kiss of death for running backs. This team could use a running back with upside, and Kendre Miller could fill that role if the Saints cut him.
Following the selection of Joe Alt, the Chargers now have one of the league’s better offensive lines. Miller couldn’t do much with the Saints poor blocking, but perhaps he can find more success with wider rushing lanes.
Main Photo: Stephen Lew – USA Today Sports
