Senior Bowl offering Saints looks at talented running back class

By Ross Jackson

It may not be seen as the team’s most pressing need, but an opportunity to get a look at some of this draft class’s best running backs is available to the New Orleans Saints thanks to this year’s Senior Bowl.

Adding talent to the running back room is widely considered an important element of the Saints’ offseason, though is rarely mentioned when it comes to the club’s biggest needs. Big-bodied wide receiver, playmaking threat at pass-catcher and offensive line are most often considered the team’s biggest needs on offense.

But after not fielding a 500-yard rusher in 2025, New Orleans would be warranted in having some interest in possible investments.

At this year’s Senior Bowl, the Saints can get a firsthand look at several talented running backs.

The National Team is headlined by its pair of Penn State rushers Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton while the American Team will field National Champion and Indiana back Kaelon Black. Black will be coached by Saints associate head coach and running backs coach Joel Thomas at the all-star game.

Each of these backs led off their positions as players to watch on offense for the Saints. 

Allen and Black both ran for over 1,000 yards in 2025 while punching in double-digit touchdowns, meanwhile Singleton showcased his typical explosive work as a runner along with his pass protection prowess throughout the year. In Mobile, Ala. each will get a chance to impress and separate themselves from the pack even further. 

Additional backs like Virginia’s J’Mari Taylor, Oklahoma’s Jadyn Ott and Clemson’s Adam Randall are sure to make their names known as well.

If the Saints are in the market to continue adding to their running back room and miss out on first-round back Jeremiyah Love out of Notre Dame in the first round, they’ll have seen plenty of other talented runners by the time Senior Bowl week has concluded.