The biggest question facing Saints RB Alvin Kamara for 2023 is the risk of suspension stemming from his still-lingering assault case. We'll almost certainly be waiting until at least August for any news on that front. But what can we expect whenever he is on the field? The veteran showed declines in both rushing and receiving efficiency over the past two years. Kamara rebounded some from a career-low 3.7 yards per carry in 2021 to 4.0 last year. Though his 14.9 carries per game (down from 18.5 in 2021) might still be more than ideal. Kamara finished each of the past two years 40th or worse in Football Outsiders' rushing DVOA and DYAR. His yards after contact per attempt matched the lowest rate of his career and ranked 46th among 61 RBs with 70+ carries, according to Pro Football Focus. Kamara also set career lows in PFF receiving grade each of the past two years, though even last season found him a decent 23rd among 61 RBs with 20+ targets. Volume has kept Kamara productive. He finished each of the past five years among the top 11 RBs in opportunity share (carries plus targets). The Saints signed RB Jamaal Williams and then drafted RB Kendre Miller in Round 3, so we should expect some dip in Kamara's touch volume. They also spent big, though, on QB Derek Carr. So Kamara could make up for any loss in touches if his efficiency rebounds, in an offense with room to rebound. An RB3-level ADP makes Kamara an intriguing bet for best ball drafts -- and a potential steal if he avoids suspension. Read more about him and the other Saints RBs in our 2023 RB rankings.
Saints rookie RB Kendre Miller caught only 29 passes in 33 college games. Yet he believes he can step into a sizable receiving role in New Orleans. "It was something I never got to show [at TCU],” Miller said. "The coaches here, they've got me on the Jugs and the tennis ball machines. They were like, we knew it was in you, that's why we drafted you, we know you can catch. Just showing everybody else in the world my ability will be a big thing for me, and I'm ready to get out there and compete.” Miller name-dropped Alvin Kamara, who remains a suspension candidate after getting indicted in February. “How they use [Kamara] is kind of unique, and watching film every day, we watch a bunch of clips of him,” the rookie said. “How they use him in the pass game, that's pretty cool. I feel like I can step in and pretty much do the same thing.” If Kamara’s suspended, Miller’s ability in pass protection will be key in getting him on the field for passing downs. Jamaal Williams, of course, arrived on a 3-year deal in March. See our updated RB projections for more on all 32 backfields.
The Saints have agreed to a three-year, $12 million deal with RB Jamaal Williams, according to multiple reports. The first thing you need to do here is ignore that Williams led the NFL in rushing TDs last year. That won't happen again. Williams logged eight more carries inside the 5-yard line than anyone else in the league -- 12 more than any other RB. He scored on half of those carries. Williams also led the league in red-zone carries and TDs, even while ranking just fifth in team share of red-zone attempts (60%). Williams benefited from a stellar Lions O-line, a run-friendly offense and D'Andre Swift injuries. He does, however, find another upside path in New Orleans. Alvin Kamara is widely expected to get some suspension this year for his pending assault case. Whether it will come this year and how long it will be, though, remains unknown. The Saints clearly imported Williams to at least complement Kamara, as we've seen Latavius Murray and Mark Ingram do before. Bet on Kamara ceding a larger share of carries than he did last year, as he hits his seventh NFL season. That's enough to make Williams a fine pick in his current low-RB3 ADP range. And if Kamara misses significant time, Williams could easily reach high-end RB2 production.
Lions RB Jamaal Williams racked up 144 yards and a TD in Sunday's win over the Bears. His 22 carries were his 2nd most of the season and twice as many as D'Andre Swift garnered in the game. The TD was his league-leading 15th of the season but 1st in 4 games. Williams will get a weak Packers run defense in Week 18.
Lions RBs combined for just 22 rushing yards on 12 carries in Saturday's loss at Carolina. RB D'Andre Swift rushed 4 times for 12 yards and caught just 1 of his 5 targets for 13 more. Jamaal Williams posted 7-11 rushing and caught both of his targets for 3 yards. The whole Detroit offense gets a positive matchup back home with Chicago in Week 17, but the RBs won't be exciting plays.
Lions RB D'Andre Swift led the team in rushing yards for Sunday's win over the Jets, tallying 52 on 8 attempts (6.5 per rush). He trailed RB Jamaal Williams by 5 carries (13-33) and watched another 6 go to Justin Jackson (for 16 yards). Swift garnered 9 targets, a season high and 2nd most on the team. He caught 5 for a mere 23 yards (4.6 per reception). Only WR Amon-Ra St. Brown drew more looks. He caught 7 of his 10 for 76 yards.
Lions RBs produced little in Sunday's pass-driven victory over the Vikings. Jamaal Williams claimed 16 of 26 RB carries but managed only 37 yards. D'Andre Swift added just 39 total yards, carrying 6 times for 21 and catching 3 of 4 targets for 18. Justin Jackson claimed the group's only TD, scoring on the ground from 15 yards out. The group gets an even tougher matchup at the Jets in Week 15.
Lions RB D'Andre Swift saw a large increase in playing time in Sunday's victory over the Jaguars. He ran 14 times for 62 yards and a TD, adding 4 catches for 49 yards on 6 targets. Swift played more snaps than RB Jamaal Williams for the 1st time since Week 2, beating him by 3 carries and 5 targets. Williams still scored again, among 11 carries for 35 yards. His only target fell incomplete.
Lions RB Jamaal Williams delivered his league-leading 13th rushing TD of the season in Thursday's narrow loss to the Bills. He also handled 67% of Detroit RB carries, taking 18 for 66 yards (3.7 per rush). That marked his 4th straight game with 16+ attempts and 3rd consecutive game with a TD. Home matchups with the Jaguars and Vikings the next 2 weeks look decent for Williams' chances of continuing his useful output. RB D'Andre Swift got another measly 5 carries (for 19 yards) but ranked 2nd on the team with 8 targets (4 catches, 24 yards). The 13 opportunities are his largest total since Week 1. RB Justin Jackson added 4 carries for 4 yards and 1 catches for 15 among 2 targets.
Lions RB Jamaal Williams had a mediocre rushing day ... except for his 3 scores from inside the 5-yard line. Overall, Williams gained 64 yards on 17 attempts. D'Andre Swift remained limited, carrying just 5 times and seeing 3 targets. He did manage to score on the ground and caught all 3 of his targets but produced just 32 total yards. We'll keep watching for signals of his workload increasing. Justin Jackson also chimed in with a 9-66 rushing line and an 11-yard catch. Williams has been a TD-reliant fantasy play, but he's now up to 12 rushing scores for the season.
Lions RB D'Andre Swift continued to see limited work in Sunday's narrow victory over the Bears. He carried just 6 times for 6 yards but scored a 9-yard TD to boost his fantasy day. (That means, of course, that his other 5 rushes combined to lose 3 yards.) Swift added just 1 reception among 3 targets in a game that found only 3 Lions catching multiple passes. RB Jamaal Williams led the backfield once again with 16 carries for 59 yards and a TD. Justin Jackson claimed the backfield's other 3 targets, catching 2 for 14 yards. Swift declined to speak with the media last week and was reportedly angry with his low level of usage. We'll see if HC Dan Campbell reveals any change to his plan heading into next Sunday's visit to the Giants.
Lions RB D'Andre Swift collected just 2 carries (for 10 yards) and 3 receptions (among 4 targets) in Sunday's win over the Packers. He delivered a solid 40 yards receiving, ranking 2nd on the team. But the low usage fell in line with signals from HC Dan Campbell through the week that Swift's role would be limited. We'll see what the coach has to say leading up to the Week 10 visit to Chicago. RB Jamaal Williams amassed 24 carries for 81 yards against Green Bay.
Lions RB D’Andre Swift returned in Week 8 to post only 10 total touches. He was out-carried 10-5 by Jamaal Williams but salvaged his fantasy day with 5 catches and a TD while isolated on a LB. Detroit jumped out to a big lead in this one before trailing over the final 15 minutes. While perhaps the team simply eased Swift back into action, it’s worth nothing that he participated fully in practice last Wednesday-Friday. We’ll see if his workload grows this week against Green Bay.
With D'Andre Swift out once again, Lions RB Jamaal Williams led the team in carries (15) and rushing yards (79, 5.3 per carry). Craig Reynolds led Detroit RBs in receiving, catching all 3 of his targets for 18 yards. Williams got just 1 target, catching it for 4 yards.
Lions RB D'Andre Swift (ankle, shoulder) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Cowboys. He got in 3 limited practices this week, seemingly giving him a good chance to be back for Week 8. Swift’s absence today leaves RB Jamaal Williams as Detroit’s lead ball-carrier vs. the Cowboys’ 5th-ranked RB defense. See where Williams sits in the Week 7 RB Rankings.
The Lions don’t expect RB D’Andre Swift (shoulder) to play Sunday against the Cowboys, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. That would keep Jamaal Williams in the backfield lead, with Craig Reynolds and Justin Jackson factoring in for minor roles
Lions RB Jamaal Williams once again easily led the team in rushing in Sunday's loss to the Patriots, taking 15 carries for 56 yards. Craig Reynolds and Justin Jackson combined for another 9 carries. Reynolds gained 24 yards on 6 rushes while also leading the backfield in routes (17) and targets (3). Jackson garnered 3 carries and 1 target, while also running 1 more route than Williams. Detroit now gets a Week 6 bye, and then RB D'Andre Swift is expected to be ready to return. Expect Williams to remain a rushing factor beyond Swift's return. But he doesn't look like a great bet to own the receiving work if Swift goes down again.
Lions RB D'Andre Swift (shoulder, ankle) is out for Sunday’s game vs. the Patriots. He’s tentatively expected back after Detroit’s Week 6 bye. Jamaal Williams gets another game as lead back this weekend.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler confirms that Lions RB D'Andre Swift (shoulder) is "likely" out for Sunday's game vs. the Patriots. "Plan is still for him to return after the bye (Week 7), barring unforeseen development," Fowler adds. Jamaal Williams will get 1 more game as Detroit's lead back, in a plus matchup vs. New England's 28th-ranked RB defense.
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