By Ross Jackson
The New Orleans Saints’ most notable free agency signing from a weapons perspective is undoubtedly the addition of running back Travis Etienne.
The Jennings, LA native provides the team a home run hitter and explosive back that fights through contact and can catch out of the backfield. The addition is an exciting one and brings a lot of intrigue to how the Saints’ running back depth chart will shake out in 2026.
Alvin Kamara, Etienne Lead the Way
While there have been several questions raised about Kamara’s future following his unique salary conversion and Etienne’s arrival, he’s still under contract through 2026.
Until he’s no longer positioned to contribute, he and Etienne will lead the room with similar, versatile skill sets that will inject some unpredictability into the team’s run game.
Battle Among the Backups
Behind the two top players, a quartet of young talent will be set to duke it out for remaining roster spots at the position.
The most experienced of the four, Kendre Miller, is going into his contract year following another injury-shortened season.
Talent has never been a question for Miller, but availability has continued to be a pressure point. The opportunity ahead of him will come down to how well he performs in training camp, staying on the field and how serious the Saints were about his new blank slate last year.
Second-year back Devin Neal and third-year rusher Audric Estime were the team’s go-to option late until Neal’s rookie year was also ended early by a late-season injury that took place at a bad time with just a few games left.
Both backs provided promise, with Estime providing the teammates first 30-yard rush by a running back in multiple years.
Finally, Evan Hull, who has a similar advantage to Neal and Estime being acquired by the current coaching staff. Hull was also called upon late last season, but didn’t obtain the highlight moments Estime did. But the team is high on his talents, and perhaps having an offseason to showcase them could work in his favor.
All six backs are currently in the team’s roster, barring any additional changes. The top of the room is set, for now, and the competition to be had at the position will be for complementary roles as well as active roster and practice squad spots.
