Alvin Kamara is one of the best players in New Orleans Saints history, but that may not save him from the trade block. A third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Kamara immediately set the world on fire by averaging 6.1 yards per carry as a rookie while recording 81 receptions for 826 yards and 13 combined touchdowns. He proved this wasn’t a fluke, making the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons in the league.
Unfortunately, age caught up to the veteran, and the Saints inability to find a competent partner in the backfield forced him to take on a larger role. Now entering his age-31 season, New Orleans could trade and trade Alvin Kamara as they build a young foundation around potential franchise quarterback Tyler Shough. While some teams could kick the tires on Kamara, Bleacher Report‘s Kristopher Knox does not envision a large return for his services.
In a recent article, the NFL analyst said New Orleans would likely receive a 2026 sixth-round pick and a conditional 2027 seventh-round pick for the five-time Pro Bowler. This makes sense, as Kamara is past his prime, carries a decent salary, and is on the wrong side of 30. Given the low trade cost, the following three teams should be interested in Alvin Kamara.
Saints Could Trade Alvin Kamara to 3 Teams
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs have been searching for a franchise running back since they released Kareem Hunt in 2018. While Isiah Pacheco started his career on a promising note, the seventh-round pick is a free agent and hasn’t played too well in recent years. Alvin Kamara may not be the player he once was, but the trade candidate can still make plays out of the backfield. That alone should be enough to justify a roster spot in Andy Reid’s running back-friendly offense.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have a good running back in Chase Brown, but they could use more reinforcements at the position. Measuring in at 5′-10″ and 210 pounds, Brown probably shouldn’t receive 300 touches per season. He’s more than capable of being the lead back, but an Alvin Kamara trade could give this team a much-needed complement in the backfield. Given Cincinnati’s defensive struggles, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to have another reliable set of hands who can help move the chains and give quarterback Joe Burrow a quick option out of the backfield.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers may have their running back of the future in first-round pick Omarion Hampton. Unfortunately, the UNC product battled injuries throughout his inaugural campaign, so it’s impossible to know how good he actually is. Hampton’s ceiling is through the roof, but the team should trade for someone like Alvin Kamara to add a veteran presence to the room. Head coach Jim Harbaugh loves to run the football, and new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is one of the best in the league at scheming up plays to the running back. Kamara won’t recapture his late-2010s form, but he could put up another strong season in this offense.
Main Photo: Stephen Lew – Imagn Images
