The Kansas City Chiefs are in need of a running back, and they could find their answer in New Orleans Saints veteran Alvin Kamara this offseason.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay explores five potential trades that could occur after the season, and he mentions the Saints trading Kamara to the Chiefs as one that makes sense.
Kansas City’s offense has struggled this year, both in terms of its rushing attack and even its passing game. Kamara could help shore up both areas.
While Kamara may no longer be the same Pro Bowl-caliber running back he was several years ago, he would still provide the Chiefs’ plateauing offense with a boost.
Kay suggests that Kansas City could send a second-round draft pick to New Orleans in exchange for Kamara in a deal that would satisfy both sides. That might even be a bit of an overpay for the Chiefs based on Kamara’s declining production the last couple of years, but for a team that is in win-now mode, it would be worth it.
In 13 games this season, Kamara has rushed for 694 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 3.9 yards per carry. In addition, he has caught 75 passes for 466 yards and a score.
The 28-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Tennessee, was selected by the Saints in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Kamara made five straight trips to the Pro Bowl to begin his NFL career, establishing himself as one of the best all-purpose running backs in football. He posted over 80 catches in each of his first four seasons, and while he never actually hit 1,000 yards rushing, he was in the neighborhood of 800 to 900 yards on the ground each year. (He topped out at 932 yards in 2020.)
Since 2021, Kamara’s efficiency has dipped considerably, as he also registered just 3.7 and 4.0 yards per carry in 2021 and 2022. But perhaps Kamara can see a bit of a resurgence in Kansas City’s offense.
Kamara has two years remaining on his deal, so the Saints may want to move him this offseason to clear some money off the books. If that does happen, the Chiefs would certainly represent fine suitors.
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