Cowboys’ Williams extension could price Saints out of RB market

By Ross Jackson

One of the first big extensions at running back was handed out recently by the Dallas Cowboys.

The team extended back Javonte Williams for three years with a $24 million deal. The $8 million per year average includes $16 million guaranteed, setting the floor for running backs in this year’s free agency class and possibly pricing the New Orleans Saints out of a potential investment at the position. 

New Orleans has talent in its running back room. Veteran Alvin Kamara has shown flashes that he can continue producing in head coach Kellen Moore’s system, but injuries have derailed his last two seasons. Sixth-round back Devin Neal showed promise in his rookie season and third-year rusher Audric Estime impressed as a later addition to the team. 

While there is talent, the team still has a lot of question marks when it comes to its run game. Can the team block up front more effectively? Will running back Kendre Miller stay healthy? 

Above all, the biggest question going into the offseason, however, is whether or not the Saints will look to add to the room. Something most on the outside looking in universally believe they should look to do. 

However, doing so in free agency may not be less desirable. With names like Kenneth Walker III, Breece Hall and Travis Etienne Jr. set to hit the market in March, Williams’ extension in Dallas may complicate matters.  

Instead, New Orleans may turn to the NFL Draft to add another top-level talent after investing in a more manageable signing at the position. That is, assuming the team looks to add to the running back group at all. Perhaps the Saints feel that system changes and blocking may do the trick. 

But if the team does decide to invest via the draft, there are several strong options. Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love is a common name at pick No. 8 overall in the first round. If that’s too high to go for the position for New Orleans, it could go with Love’s teammate, Jadarian Price, in Day Two. The team also got up-close looks at back line Arkansas’ Mike Washington Jr. and Virginia’s J’Mari Taylor during the Senior Bowl earlier in the year. 

While the free agency path to addressing the run game might have gotten a little pricier, avenues are still available for the Saints.