Saints rookie Devin Neal has important week ahead

Jun 10, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal (30) on running back drills during minicamp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

By Ross Jackson

After returning to practice in a limited capacity on Tuesday, New Orleans Saints sixth-round rookie running back Devin Neal has a very important slate of work ahead of him.

With two practices left this week and the formal preseason matchup on Saturday against the Denver Broncos, Neal has a chance to prove that he deserves a roster spot.

The explosive rusher may not have the most impressive 40-yard-dash time (4.58 seconds), but he has the game speed and breakaway ability to be a home run hitter in the league. Not only did he total over 1,000 rushing yards in three consecutive seasons at Kansas, he also added 16 rushing touchdowns in two-straight years.

Beyond that, he had 35 rushes of more than 10 yards in 2024, 17 of which went for more than 15 rushing yards or more. Both ranked him top-20 in the nation among draft eligible running backs.

Devin Neal could be a Day 2/3 Steal

Pro Comps:
Montgomery – Ceiling
Singletar – Floor

His tape shows:
💥Changes direction w/ fluidity
💥Eluisive open field moves
💥End Zone proficiency

Neal projects as a versatile RB w 3 down back in the right systempic.twitter.com/ujYvqvWzod https://t.co/dEPvjwKHtk

— Dynasty Dad (@DynastyDadFF) March 15, 2025

That kind of breakaway ability might not be No. 1 in the country, but it’s a unique part of his game considering his ability to run through contact and pick up yards between the tackles. Neal is a unique build of power runner with enough breakaway ability that defenses have to respect.

The Saints’ rushing attacks in both preseason games haven’t cast the optimism that was initially present with new head coach Kellen Moore. Granted, it’s not like they’re out there calling the entire playbook yet, either.

But if Neal can get back from his hamstring injury in time to get some meaningful snaps against Denver, perhaps he could provide the jolt that many have been waiting to see.

Neal’s injury has kept him out of the first pair of games, and this week provides him his best opportunity yet to show what he can do, should he be healthy enough to take the field.