Saints rookie Kendre Miller has opening for early NFL success

With the announced three-game suspension of Saints running back Alvin Kamara, the organization will be expecting others to step up at that spot in his absence.

New Orleans signed veteran Jamaal Williams in the offseason to play a primary role this year. He is not expected to do it all alone with Kamara sidelined.

If you talk with rookie Kendre Miller, one of the first things that you’ll notice is that he’s got that eye of the tiger. His vibe indicates the attitude of someone who won’t be denied.

Miller finished his high school senior campaign rushing for 2,508 yards accounting for 34 touchdowns. UTSA, Wyoming, Southern Miss and TCU were the college choices for the Enterprise, Texas native. He headed to Fort Worth.

Working towards his opportunity with the Horned Frogs, Miller eventually overtook a much-heralded five-star recruit, Zachary Evans. While Evans eventually transferred to Ole Miss for the 2022 season, Miller capitalized on the opportunity at TCU.

The the 5-11, 215-pound Miller rushed for a career-best 1,342 yards with 17 scores as the Horned Frogs enjoyed a magical season. In a statement game giving an indication of his capabilities, he ripped off 185 yards and three touchdowns against Texas Tech. His 75-yard second half touchdown jaunt lifted TCU in a tight contest at Texas.

TCU finished 12-1, qualifying for the College Football Playoff. During the second quarter in the national semifinal against Michigan, a dream season took a harsh turn for Miller. On his eighth carry of the contest, he suffered an MCL tear.

The upstart Horned Frogs prevailed 51-45, advancing to the National Championship Game but Kendre Miller’s college career was done.

The Saints still grabbed him with the 71st overall pick in the third round of the NFL Draft. It was the seventh time in franchise history that the Saints spent a third round pick on a running back. Among them, Tyrone Anthony (1984), Cliff Austin (1983), Andrew Jones (1975) and Pete Van Valkenberg (1973) had nondescript careers with the Black and Gold.

There were misses but also big hits with those selections.

In 1986, the Saints grabbed Rueben Mayes with the 57th pick. He was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after racking up 1,353 yards rushing and eight touchdowns. Mayes is a member of the Saints Hall of Fame.

Miller’s current teammate Alvin Kamara was snagged 67th overall in 2017, eventually matching Mayes by earning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year acclaim.

With the announced suspension of the first three games for Kamara, Miller will get an expanded role in the offense right out of the gates as a rookie. Now completely recovered from ligament surgey after being initially placed on the non football injury list when he arrived, Miller is putting in the work to be ready to help New Orleans early in his career. Trying to help kill Kamara’s shoes requires plenty of work in training camp, particularly when it comes to being a pass catching threat.

“Alvin is the best route running back in the league,” Miller explained. “He is at my side telling me what to do. He gives me tips on the field and off the field.”

While honest about the fact he’s not a finished product, Miller thinks of himself as a starting NFL running back right now.

“Fact, fact,” he exclaimed. “You have to have that mentality. Even though I’m down on the depth (chart), I come in here and work everyday.”

He had role models in his formative years and it’s little surprise both are legends from his homestate. One is a former Saint and the other is a TCU icon.

“I loved watching Adrian Peterson. He was a dog,” Kendre declared. “He also came from east Texas (Palestine), not far from where I grew up. LaDainian Tomlinson, he was amazing. He’s got the gold jacket and being from TCU, I watched his film and the way he ran. He reminded me a lot of Barry Sanders. Both were shifty and could (also) run people over.”

Like Peterson and Tomlinson, Miller eyes the chance to be a featured runner. A three-down back must be physical.

“It’s a mentality,” he explained. “You have to have that mentality that you’re the best and you’re going to punish the defense every time you touch the ball. Even in pass protection, it has to be an overall mentality thing.”

Pro coaches trust players who can also protect the football. Miller had just one fumble in 240 touches from scrimmage last season. Rarely putting the ball on the turf calls for additional work at practice.

“It’s a big thing, if they can’t trust you to carry the ball. I take a lot of pride in (not fumbling). I work on it during the offseason and even now at practice. I really concentrate on that.”

Quick with impressive vision and balance, Miller can be used similarly to the way Kamara has been used by the Saints. One red flag the NFL scouts had on Miller in pre-draft reports was his pass protection ability. It’s an area he has focused on during early camp.

“Coming out of college, it was hard but I adapted to it. With the Saints, they’re throwing me into the fire, so you’ve got to pick up everything fast. You have no choice. Understanding the concept of why we run certain plays, adapting to pass protection in the NFL. I can’t go in if I don’t protect the QB. I have to protect Derek (Carr) and make sure he gets the ball off.”

Miller made the point to say he is also excited to play for his new home city.

“I love the city. It is totally behind the Saints. You don’t see that anywhere else in the NFL where the entire city is behind you.”

If Kendre Miller ends up as a Saints third round pick spoken about in the same breath as Mayes and Kamara, Who Dat nation will be more than just behind him. They’ll love him.