By Ross Jackson
With the final week of OTAs upon the New Orleans Saints, some young players will have a couple of practices remaining to make an impression before all of the veteran players arrive for mandatory minicamps next week.
One player that stands to benefit from the additional exposure to his new coaching staff is third-year running back Kendre Miller.
New head coach Kellen Moore should be able to provide Miller with a run scheme that better highlights his abilities as a between-the-tackels, one-cut rusher. Miller is being given a fresh start in Moore’s eyes along with associate head coach and running backs coach Joel Thomas, that he’ll look to take advantage of.
“[The] first day was a blank slate,” Moore said of Miller. “Whatever has happened in the past, we acknowledge, but it has no bearing in the future.”
What Creates Breakout Potential For Miller?
Miller’s game is a physical one, a style he wasn’t asked to lean on much in former offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s system. Kubiak’s run game focused on outside runs 69.8% of the time, the most in the NFL.
The former TCU back was more of an inside zone runner throughout his collegiate career. While talent has never really been in question with him, Miller’s usage may not have been very advantageous for his skill set last season.
Kendre Miller on film in 2024😎 pic.twitter.com/Ku0UqVkX5F
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 26, 2025
With Moore, Miller should be asked to do a lot more than plays into the cornerstones of his game. Last year, per Pro Football Focus, the Saints’ running back forced 13 missed tackles on just 39 carries.
There has also been one running back in each of the last two years that both topped three yards after contact per attempt and that carried the ball more than 13 times. That back was Miller.
What Stands In HIs Way?
The conversation has always been the same for the young back: health. Maybe new director of sports performance Ted Rath, about whom Moore has delivered glowing reviews, can help to change his fortunes there.
A healthy Miller asked to play closer to his game, and what made him a draft pick in the first place, would be an excellent complement to Alvin Kamara and the rest of the running back room. Deployment, health and continuing to successfully transition his skills to the NFL could make him a breakout player in 2025.
