alvin kamara
Getty
New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara.
The Las Vegas Raiders recently hosted Najee Harris for a visit, but he still hasn’t been signed. It remains to be seen if he’ll end up with the team.
The Raiders have been open about wanting to add another running back to complement Ashton Jeanty. He’s going to be the workhorse, but there needs to be somebody else who can take the pressure off of him.
Jeanty has proven that he can be effective in the passing game, but his greatest strength is as a runner. It would make a lot of sense for the Raiders to add a running back who can make plays in the passing game. Alvin Kamara may have played his final game with the New Orleans Saints.
He’s still one of the best pass-catching running backs in the NFL, and he has worked with head coach Klint Kubiak in the past. Ryan Shea of Sports Illustrated pitched a trade that would send Kamara to Las Vegas for a fifth and sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
“Hypothetically, if the Las Vegas Raiders were to acquire Alvin Kamara from the Saints, he could immediately transform their offense under new head coach Klint Kubiak,” Shea wrote.
“Kamara’s dual-threat ability as a runner and receiver would complement rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza and add versatility alongside Ashton Jeanty, making the Raiders’ attack more dynamic and unpredictable. … Such a move would give the Raiders a proven playmaker in the backfield, providing both immediate impact and long-term flexibility for building around their young roster.”
Kamara Could Be More Effective in Limited Role
Kamara is a five-time Pro Bowler, but he’s coming off a rough year. He only played 11 games and had a career low of 657 yards from scrimmage.
Going to a team like the Raiders could make some sense for him. He’d be able to take on a smaller role, which would keep him fresher to make big plays. He’s never been a great rusher and has never rushed for over 1,000 yards in a season.
With Jeanty complimenting him, he’d be able to focus on making plays in the passing game. That’s a weapon Kubiak would love to use. Giving up two draft picks for an aging running back on an expiring contract might not be ideal for the Raiders, but if they could convince the Saints to trade him for one, it’s a deal that could happen.
Kubiak Has Success With Kamara
Kubiak coached Kamara on the Saints in 2024, and it was one of his best seasons in years. He had 1,493 yards from scrimmage, which was his most since 2020.
At 30, Kamara is likely past his athletic prime, but he can still make plays. Now, it remains to be seen if he wants to play second fiddle to a guy like Jeanty.
He could still believe that he’s a No. 1 option. Plus, he loves New Orleans and might not want to leave the Saints. If he does leave, it might be more appealing to go to a team that can compete for the Super Bowl. That said, he could have a good relationship with Kubiak, which could make the Raiders the ideal spot for him.