Saints face difficult roster calculus for Kendre Miller amid backfield depth
Team insiders suggest the New Orleans Saints may struggle to justify retaining Kendre Miller given the strong performances of competing running backs and the team’s need for reliability over potential.
The New Orleans Saints are approaching a critical juncture in their roster construction, with the running back position emerging as a particularly complex area for evaluation. As the team prepares to trim its squad to the 53-man limit, the depth at the position has created a difficult decision-making process regarding which players to retain.
Fourth-year running back Kendre Miller, a 2023 third-round pick, is at the centre of this debate. While his talent has never been in question, his retention is complicated by his availability history and the strong cases made by other members of the backfield. The issue is not a lack of ability on Miller’s part, but rather whether the organisation can afford to prioritise his potential over the immediate reliability of other options.
Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, speaking on the The Set podcast with former Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead, offered an insider’s perspective on the dilemma. Underhill noted that the "math doesn't work" in Miller’s favour, citing the sheer number of capable players competing for limited spots. He specifically highlighted that Audric Estime, Devin Neal, and Ty Chandler have all made strong cases for inclusion on the roster.
The depth extends beyond these emerging players to include established veterans Alvin Kamara and Travis Etienne Jr. Underhill described the situation as a "real problem" because the talent is legitimate, but the team must decide if they have the roster flexibility to absorb the risk associated with Miller’s availability. The presence of multiple players who are "good enough to be on the team" makes the decision particularly tough.
Ty Chandler has been particularly praised for his versatility, demonstrating capability both as a runner and in the return game. He recorded an 86-yard kickoff return in the Saints’ first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, adding to his argument for a roster spot. Meanwhile, Miller has looked like the best player in the room at certain points during the offseason, making his potential exclusion a difficult call for the coaching staff.
Ultimately, the Saints are forced to choose between betting on Miller’s ability and the reliability of a deeper group. While it is a positive situation for the team to have so many options, Miller may end up as the odd man out. He will be one of the most closely watched names as the final roster decisions are made.
