On Monday morning at the NFL owner's meetings in Phoenix, Saints head coach Kellen Moore said he envisions a New Orleans offensive backfield led by franchise leading rusher Alvin Kamara and prized free agent signee Travis Etienne Jr..
"We love Alvin. he means the world to all of us," Moore said. "This is a full offseason process. We feel like he's in that room. You can find roles for all those different guys. We go through the whole offseason process and continue to grow and develop this team.
"He's certainly on the roster and part of that running back room. We feel like there's ways that you can manipulate all those guys and put them in plenty of situations. Look at our season last year, look at probably just about every NFL season — plenty of running backs play. We feel fortunate that we were able to acquire Travis in free agency, but there's still a lot of work to be had out there."
In an injury-shortened season, Kamara totaled career lows in games played (11), rushing yards (471), rushing touchdowns (one), receptions (33), receiving yards (186) and receiving touchdowns (zero).
He'll be 31 years old and entering his 10th NFL season in September, but Kamara always has maintained a fitness regimen that has allowed him to thrive when available. He has missed 13 games the past three seasons.
Adding Etienne, plus the presence of Devin Nealand Audric Estimé, can help the entire room.
"They're probably similar players," Moore said of Kamara and Etienne. "I think both of them have the explosive, elusive ability to play in all three phases, which is beneficial. I feel like our running back room is a really healthy room right now — with just the depth and the experience and all the guys that are in there.
"With the way last season went, a lot of those guys got experience. A lot of those guys played football. So it's going to be a benefit for us that we got a few guys — three or four guys — that played meaningful snaps last year that are all coming back. And then, you throw Travis into the mix and it's a great situation for us."