Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Saints Predicted to Draft Potential Alvin Kamara Replacement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated Feb 27, 2026 8:00 PM ET

In the first year of Kellen Moore's tenure as head coach of the New Orleans Saints, the team showed slight improvement. The Saints finished the season with a record of 6-11, up from 5-12 the previous year. Notably, they ended the season on a strong note, winning four of their last five games.

Moore is optimistic that the team will improve and compete for the NFC South title and a playoff spot. However, they also face a significant contract negotiation ahead. Five-time Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara is entering the final year of his contract, which he signed in 2024 for two years at a value of $24.5 million.

He recently had his worst season, accumulating only 451 rushing yards and one touchdown, along with 186 receiving yards and no touchdowns. This performance might prompt the team to consider selecting a running back in the 2026 NFL Draft. In fact, USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz has predicted that the team will draft Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs the ball.Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

"Despite having little reason to do so, the top back in this year's class will run the 40 and go through a workout," Middlehurst-Schwartz said. "That might serve as a bit of a tease for what he can offer teams as a big-play weapon out of the backfield, but the real showcase came in the last two years, when he ripped off 35 touchdowns on the ground for the Fighting Irish. The surging Saints still have plenty of holes and might be indulging in a bit of a luxury with this pick, but the bones are there for New Orleans to build an explosive attack around Tyler Shough."

In his final two seasons at South Bend, Love had an outstanding performance, rushing for a total of 2,497 yards and scoring 35 touchdowns. He also recorded 517 receiving yards and five touchdowns during that time. In 2025, he was unanimously selected as a first-team All-American and won the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation's top running back. Additionally, he finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Drafting Love would give Moore a dynamic weapon to pair with quarterback Tyler Shough as the Saints attempt to climb back into NFC South contention. While some may view the selection as a luxury given other roster needs, an explosive back with Love’s résumé could help New Orleans accelerate its offensive rebuild and create long-term flexibility should Kamara’s tenure in the Crescent City come to an end.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: