Why Jamaal Williams could be X-factor for Saints

The retooling New Orleans Saints signed free-agent QB Derek Carr and brought back wideout Michael Thomas, but the addition of free-agent running back Jamaal Williams could be the missing piece to restore the Saints to prominence in the NFL's worst division.

Williams, who signed a three-year, $12 million deal, spent the past two seasons with the Detroit Lions after coming over from Green Bay. After rushing for a then-career-high 601 yards in 2021, he enjoyed a breakout 2022.

Playing in all 17 games, Williams posted personal bests in carries (262), rushing yards (1,066), yards per game (62.7) and first downs (65). He served as a reliable red zone option for head coach Dan Campbell. Of his NFL-leading 17 touchdowns, 16 came in the red zone, including 10 from the one-yard line.

Detroit's red zone efficiency improved greatly with Williams serving as the goal-line running back. Per Pro Football Reference, Detroit's 46.7% red-zone percentage -- the percentage of  possessions within the opponents' 20-yard line that end in a touchdown -- ranked 31st in 2021. In 2022,  the Lions climbed to fourth (66.2%).

That jump is one of the reasons Detroit improved from 3-13-1 in Campbell's first season to 9-8 and narrowly missing a playoff berth in 2022. 

The Saints have sought a new identity after Drew Brees retired in 2020 and Sean Payton stepped down as head coach after the 2021 season. After four straight NFC South titles from 2017-20, New Orleans has missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. 

One of the reasons for New Orleans' recent decline is a lack of production from its running game. During the stretch of playoff appearances, the Saints ranked in the top 10 in rushing yards per game in three of four seasons. In the past two seasons, though, the they have finished 15th and 19th, respectively. 

A common theme during the 2017-20 period was the pairing of Alvin Kamara with a bigger running back -- first Latavius Murray and then Mark Ingram. Those duos rushed for more 1,400 yards combined in those four seasons. However, that threshold has not been reached the past two seasons, partly due to Ingram's decline and age (33).

With Williams and Kamara, offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael could look to recreate the two-running back system that helped lead the Saints to four consecutive top-five scoring offenses from 2017-20. 

Filling the power back role, Williams could bolster New Orleans' red zone offense (18th and 21st in 2021 and 2022) while Kamara continues as the versatile running and receiving threat. That balance could aid newcomer Carr as he makes his transition from the Raiders to the Saints.

The rest of the NFC South is going through its own rebuilding and retooling phase. At least three of the four teams will start new quarterbacks. With Carr and a potentially rejuvenated Thomas, Williams and a revamped running game could help push the Saints to the top again.