Saints planning to use rookie RB in Alvin Kamara-like role

When the New Orleans Saints took TCU running back Kendre Miller in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, they liked the idea of pairing him with five-time Pro Bowler Alvin Kamara.

But as Miller gets acclimated to the team, he’s come to find out the Saints may just need him to do his best Kamara impersonation while the 27-year-old sorts out his offseason legal trouble.

"How they use (Kamara) is kind of unique,” Miller said, via the team’s official website. “And watching film every day, we watch a bunch of clips of him. How they use him in the pass game, that's pretty cool. I feel like I can step in and pretty much do the same thing."

Kamara pleaded not guilty in March to charges of conspiracy to commit battery and substantial bodily harm from an incident before the Pro Bowl in February 2022. His trial is set for July 31, and if he’s found guilty, the NFL could suspend him for a lengthy part of the 2023 season.

In preparation of the worst-case scenario, the Saints have been experimenting with Miller in several Kamara-like roles, including as a high-volume receiver out of the backfield. Although he had only 29 total receptions for 229 yards at TCU, Miller believes his receiving skills are highly underrated.