{"id":118675,"date":"2021-07-31T11:05:03","date_gmt":"2021-07-31T15:05:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=118675"},"modified":"2021-07-31T11:08:54","modified_gmt":"2021-07-31T15:08:54","slug":"alvin-kamara-touches-may-increase","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/07\/31\/alvin-kamara-touches-may-increase\/","title":{"rendered":"Alvin Kamara Touches May Increase in 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

With an unsettled quarterback position<\/a> and news that top wide receiver Michael Thomas will miss the start of the season, things are looking grim for the New Orleans Saints. Alvin Kamara may be seeing more touches than ever to pick up the slack. The four-time Pro Bowler has never topped 275 touches in a season so this would be unprecedented. That may have to change in 2021 if the Saints want to be successful. Head coach Sean Payton has used the former third-rounder judiciously in his four pro seasons. Will he be tempted to increase Kamara’s workload in 2021?<\/p>\n

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Alvin Kamara Touches Could Increase for New Orleans Saints<\/h2>\n

Kamara has always been something of a luxury for New Orleans, even as their most explosive player. Payton has not had to rely too heavily on the Tennessee alum with Drew Brees<\/a> carefully orchestrating the passing game over the years. Brees has retired and neither Jameis Winston nor Taysom Hill inspires the same confidence. To make matters worse in the Bayou, Michael Thomas curiously opted for surgery in June, drawing the ire of Payton and General manager Mickey Loomis<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s disappointing,\u201d Payton said to reporters<\/a>. \u201cAnd we\u2019ll work through it with the other players that are here. But the surgery took place, and obviously, we would\u2019ve liked that to have happened earlier than later, and quite honestly it should have.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Replacing the production of Thomas is going to be difficult<\/a> for New Orleans. The team has reportedly signed former New England Patriot Chris Hogan<\/a> to help in the passing game. That is asking a lot if they think Hogan, Tre’Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway, and Deonte Harris can all make leaps. Kamara may be able to ease the blow until their star receiver can return to the field. This may take a shift to a more run-heavy approach for Payton. With Kamara, Hill, and Latavius Murray, that may be the best option, with or without Thomas.<\/p>\n

The Case for a Bigger Workload for Kamara<\/h3>\n

The former AP Offensive Rookie of the Year is electric with the ball in his hands. He has also been durable, appearing in 60 of 64 regular-season games in his career. The question is whether that availability would be compromised with more touches. It is a risk the team may have to take in 2021. Since joining the league in 2017, Kamara is second in total touchdowns among running backs. The recently turned 26-year-old is a nightmare for opposing defenses in the open field. Per Pro Football Focus, Kamara is first in the NFL since 2017 in yards after the catch (2,647) and missed tackles forced on receptions (79).<\/p>\n

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Happy Birthday to Alvin Kamara \u269c\ufe0f\u2744\ufe0f<\/p>\n

Alvin\u00a0Kamara\u00a0since entering the NFL in 2017:<\/p>\n

\u269c\ufe0f2,647\u00a0yards\u00a0after\u00a0the\u00a0catch\u00a0(1st)
\u269c\ufe0f79 missed tackles forced on RECs (1st)
pic.twitter.com\/O4BmMrxkCj<\/a><\/p>\n

— PFF (@PFF) July 25, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n