Kellen Moore could tab fellow Boise St. Bronco with first Saints draft pick

NEW ORLEANS — Kellen Moore has been peppered with questions from the New Orleans media during Super Bowl week.

His answers have revealed some interesting shed some light on what the Saints future may look like. Part of that future is the No. 9 overall selection in this year’s NFL Draft. 

If the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator does indeed take the Saints’ head coach position, he has a key connection to one of the draft’s top weapons, running back Ashton Jeanty, as a Boise State alumnus. 

Along with their collegiate connection, Moore sounds like he has a lot of respect for Jeanty’s play style and ability. 

“He’s a complete package,” said Moore. “He can do a lot of different things. I think his patience and burst is really, really special. (He) has great vision, I think, as a running back. Which is really, really important.”

The self-proclaimed Boise State fan is clearly not just a fan of the Broncos but of the 2,601-yard rusher specifically. 

Moore knows how to get that kind of impact with a running back. In 2024 he directed the league’s No. 2 rushing attack spearheaded by running back Saquon Barkley. The dynamic Barkley became the NFL’s ninth 2,000-yard rusher in the process. 

The Eagles offensive playcaller also helped former Dallas Cowboys rusher Ezekiel Elliott find his way to a pair of 1,000 rushing yard seasons in 2019 and 2021 while coaching in Dallas. Elliott’s 2020 season was just 21 rushing yards shy of the mark. 

Fortifying the Saints’ offensive line will have to play a large role in him potentially finding success in New Orleans. But starting the process with a pairing like veteran running back Alvin Kamara and Jeanty is likely to be enticing for Moore. 

“He had a tremendous year,” Moore said. “He’s going to have a huge impact on this league.”

Come Thursday, April 24, we will find out if the Boise State pairing is united for the Saints.