During the 2024 season, the New Orleans Saints gave Alvin Kamara a two-year extension. The veteran running back was in the middle of one of his most productive seasons ever, and he was set to be a free agent after the year. However, he wasn’t ready to go anywhere, and the Saints realized they weren’t ready for him to leave either.
While Kamara is still playing at an elite level, the extension only secured him to New Orleans for two more seasons, and he will turn 30 soon. It’s safe to say the veteran running back is closer to the end of his career than the beginning. The Saints understand that, and that’s why they seem interested in finding his successor in the 2025 Draft.
Ahead of the draft, New Orleans has been getting to know several prospects. One of those prospects is Ashton Jeanty, the Boise State running back who’s been predicted to go as early as the No. 6 pick. He had his pro day on Wednesday, and revealed the Saints are a team he’s spent a lot of time with.
In addition to meeting with New Orleans at the combine, Jeanty had dinner with Saints running back coach Joel Thomas on Tuesday night.
Saints have interest in Ashton Jeanty ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft
Combine meetings and pro day attendance is one thing, but hosting a prospect for dinner is usually a sign of an interest level more serious than normal due diligence. New Orleans doing work on running backs isn’t shocking, but it is surprising the team is closely evaluating a running back they’d have to take at No. 9.
After a historic season, Jeanty is a lock for the first round, and probably won’t get outside of the top 10. So New Orleans knows if it wants him, it has to happen at nine. If that does happen, the selection probably won’t go over well, although Jeanty is an elite talent.
The Saints do need better running back depth, and they eventually have to replace Kamara. Additionally, a duo of Kamara and Jeanty would be dangerous. However, New Orleans has several, far more pressing needs it could address with elite prospects at that pick.
