The New Orleans Saints have had a great deal of success with undrafted running backs through their history.
Pierre Thomas, undrafted in 2007, muscled away a roster spot from a draft choice and went on to become one of the best players in franchise history.
Most hadn't heard of Chris Ivory and Khiry Robinson when they joined New Orleans. Each would go on to make major contributions to the team. Travaris Cadet didn't have that same kind of success but was a key contributor.
Desperate for some backfield help to complement Alvin Kamara, the Saints spent a sixth-round choice on Kansas RB Devin Neal. New Orleans also had an undrafted addition at the position that many believe has the abilities to be a steal.
Marcus Yarns, RB (Delaware)
Delaware Blue Hens’ Marcus Yarns tries to take ball around the edge against the Monmouth University Hawks. © Peter Ackerman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Delaware Blue Hens’ Marcus Yarns tries to take ball around the edge against the Monmouth University Hawks. © Peter Ackerman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
A standout at Parkside High School in Maryland, Yarns suffered a knee injury in his senior year that limited Division I interest. As a result, he elected to attend the University of Delaware.
After a broken leg limited his (spring) freshman and sophomore action, Yarns had 94 offensive touches for 680 total yards during the 2022 season. By 2023, Yarns was a focal point of the Blue Hens offense.
Yarns rushed for 939 yards and 15 scores in 2023, adding 24 receptions for 311 yards and three more touchdowns. Last season, he picked up 844 yards as a runner and added 297 more as a receiver while scoring 11 total touchdowns despite missing two games because of injuries.
One unfortunate strike against Yarns is the fact that he played against FCS competition. There also could be concerns about his durability, dating back to his senior year of high school, if asked to shoulder a high volume of touches.
Delaware Blue Hens running back Marcus Yarns breaks a long touchdown against the Albany defense. © William Bretzger/Delaware News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Delaware Blue Hens running back Marcus Yarns breaks a long touchdown against the Albany defense. © William Bretzger/Delaware News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Listed at 5'11" and 194-Lbs., there are questions whether Yarns can be an effective inside runner. He wasn't asked to do much of that at Delaware and didn't break many tackles or have a great deal of success in short yardage situations.
At times, Yarns hesitated or danced around too much in the backfield instead of hitting an open crease. If used on third downs or passing situations, he'll need to improve his pass protection and expand his route tree out of the backfield.
As a runner, Yarns shows outstanding burst through the hole and impressive acceleration into the second level of defenses. He's shown the patience to let blocks develop in front of him, then has tremendous elusiveness to get away from tacklers in space.
Yarns possesses excellent natural receiving skills. He has reliable hands and the agility to adjust to off-target throws to secure a reception. His patience allows him to be a lethal weapon on screens. He also shows enough as a route runner to be a viable target in motion or lined up in the slot.
Delaware running back Marcus Yarns makes a catch against Elon. © William Bretzger / USA TODAY NETWORK
Delaware running back Marcus Yarns makes a catch against Elon. © William Bretzger / USA TODAY NETWORK
Marcus Yarns may never be a featured back in the NFL because of a lack of interior power. However, Yarns has the explosiveness as a runner and the receiving skills to be a reliable change-of-pace back or a matchup weapon to give defenses fits.
Yarns will have to turn heads in camp to earn a roster spot. He'll not only be competing against fellow rookie Devin Neal, but also returning veterans Kendre Miller and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. One major thing that Yarns has in his favor is his skills and versatility as a receiver.
In 2007, fourth-round draft choice Antonio Pittman from Ohio State was beaten out for a roster spot by a lightly regarded undrafted back from Illinois named Pierre Thomas. Marcus Yarns may have the abilities to pull off that same feat.