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Report: Saints running backs could be at the center of trade talks

Few teams invested as many resources into their run game this offseason as the New Orleans Saints, but Kellen Moore’s unit has struggled to run the football. And if this report is any indication, it isn’t for a lack of talent. The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones shares that interest is going to what’s been an unproductive New Orleans backfield. Here’s who could be on the move:

“With Travis Etienne Jr. potentially being available after the bye (or soon after), the New Orleans Saints could part ways with RB Kendre Miller. The 2023 third-rounder has never gotten going in New Orleans. … Multiple teams have mused whether the Saints would part with beloved franchise icon Alvin Kamara, who has famously stated multiple times he wishes to end his career in New Orleans. “If Mickey (Loomis) comes down and says (they’re trading me), I’m going to go drink a piña colada somewhere,” Kamara said last year around the trade deadline. The Saints are 2-5, and Kamara’s best game so far this season saw him carry nine times for 36 yards.”

What could the Saints expect to get for either running back? Few positions have become as undervalued in recent years, and the lack of production from both rushers wouldn’t help. You could probably get another team to swap late-round picks in the 2028 or 2029 draft for Miller (a move the Saints did themselves to acquire second-round draft bust Ja’Lynn Polk last year) but Kamara wouldn’t return anything better than, maybe, a sixth rounder. Unless Kamara wants out to pursue a Super Bowl ring and help improve his Hall of Fame candidacy, the Saints should let him finish his career out in New Orleans like he’s always wanted.

But if teams are indeed calling about one of the Saints’ running backs, even more scrutiny should go to Moore and his coaching staff for not setting up their players in a position to succeed. Poor blocking up front and rigid schematic decisions aren’t giving Miller and Kamara a chance to make a play. New Orleans shouldn’t dismiss trade interest out of hand, but they should look for what they’re missing that other teams feel they can tap into it.

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