PFF recently shared their annual NFL roster ratings, which provide comprehensive breakdowns of each team's strengths, weaknesses, X-factors, and rookies to watch. According to them, the biggest strength of the New Orleans Saints last season was their rushing offense.
With a defense that was mediocre at best last season, it's no wonder that the biggest strength would come from the offensive side of the ball. However, even there, success was in short supply, as the run game was the only thing that the offense really had to show for it.
New Orleans ranked 10th in the PFF's run-blocking grade. Because of this, running back Alvin Kamara was able to achieve the highest number of rushing yards in his entire career (950). For the season, the Saints had 1,954 rushing yards, putting them in the top half of the league.
Expect the New Orleans Saints to continue to lean on running the football in 2025
With new Saints head coach Kellen Moore's offense, Kamara could have the first 1,000-yard rushing season of his career. However, other New Orleans running backs like Kendre Miller and Clyde Edwards-Helaire are also likely to benefit from the new offense.
Miller has dealt with injury issues like no other in his young career, only playing in 14 out of a possible 34 games through two years. On top of that, he was never able to mesh well with the previous coaching staff.
The Kansas City Chiefs released Edwards-Helaire near the end of last season. However, the Baton Rouge, Louisiana native then signed with the Saints in December. He has already managed to impress his new head coach.
"Clyde's done a nice job. Just like a bunch of these guys, he's hopped in there. He can lean into some experience that he has in the NFL, which is great." Moore recently said.
Fortunately for the run game, Kellen Moore knows a thing or two about how vital that part of the offense can be for a team.
As the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024, he helped run the offense that saw running back Saquon Barkley gain over 2,000 rushing yards. It just happens to be a tiny little bonus that Moore also won Super Bowl LIV with the Eagles last season.
