Kendre Miller Fantasy Overview

2024 Summary

Production & Fantasy Finishes

Injuries limited Miller to just six games last year. He finished with 39 carries for 148 yards and one TD, adding another 33 yards on five receptions.

Usage & Role

Miller played behind RB Alvin Kamara in his first four games of the season (Weeks 7, 8, 14, and 15). He tallied 28 carries and five targets across those outings. Both marks ranked second behind Kamara.

Kamara missed Week 16, but Miller worked in a three-RB committee alongside Jordan Mims and Jamaal Williams, handling just eight carries and two targets.

Kamara remained out for Week 17, but Miller left in the first half of that one with a concussion.

Efficiency Metrics

Miller managed just 3.8 yards per carry last year, but he fared much better in advanced metrics. He ranked 27th among 91 qualifying RBs in yards after contact per attempt, fourth in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 19th in Pro Football Focus rushing grade.

Offensive Context

The Saints offense was not very good last year, finishing 24th in points, 21st in yards, and 17th in yards per play.

They were better in QB Derek Carr’s 10 games, averaging 350 total yards and 24.5 points per game. That sunk to 277 yards and 13.3 points in seven games without Carr.

Historical Production & Trends

Miller’s rookie season was also marred by injuries. He carried 41 times for 156 yards and one score across eight games. Although he averaged just 3.8 yards per carry, Miller again impressed with 3.12 yards after contact per attempt.

The Saints took him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft after an impressive junior season at TCU: 1,399 rushing yards and 17 TDs on 6.2 yards per carry. Miller averaged 6.7 yards per carry across his three college seasons.

Injury History

Miller sprained an MCL in his final college game and was unable to work out in the pre-draft process.

He’s missed 20 games over the past two years with injuries to both hamstrings, a sprained ankle, and a concussion.

2025 Expectations

Projected Role & Competition

The Saints made only minor moves in the backfield this offseason, re-signing Clyde Edwards-Helaire to a one-year, $1.17 million deal and adding Devin Neal in the sixth round of the draft.

Alvin Kamara returns as the clear lead back, but he’s 30 now and has missed time with injury in five of his eight NFL seasons.

Miller has every opportunity to win the No. 2 RB job. That likely would not be enough to make him a standalone fantasy option, but he’d have handcuff appeal.

Supporting Cast

QB Derek Carr’s surprising retirement in May leaves second-round rookie Tyler Shough as New Orleans’ most likely starter. The other options are Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener, who both struggled in spot duty last year. QB is a big question for the Saints.

Miller will at least be running behind a promising offensive line. Last year’s Saints ranked:

• 11th in Pro Football Focus’ run blocking grades
• 19th in ESPN’s run block win rate
• 22nd in adjusted line yards

New Orleans used the ninth overall pick of this spring’s draft on Texas’ Kelvin Banks, who’s penciled in as the starting LT. And 2024 first-round OT Taliese Fuaga is a candidate for a second-year leap.

Coaching & Offensive Scheme

The Saints hired Kellen Moore as their new HC in February. He replaces Dennis Allen, who was fired in the middle of last season.

This is Moore’s first HC gig after a successful six-year run as an OC.

He ran Dallas’ offense from 2019 to 2022, leading the Cowboys to top-six finishes in points in three of four seasons. Two of those teams led the league in total yards.

Moore headed west to Los Angeles in 2023, taking over as Chargers OC. That team finished 21st in points and 18th in total yards, but QB Justin Herbert dealt with multiple injuries and missed the final four games of the season.

This past year, Moore helped the Eagles to a Super Bowl. The offense ranked seventh in points and eighth in total yards.

Moore has shown an ability to adapt his scheme and play calling to his personnel. His pass rates have ranged from 61.4% (2020 Cowboys) to 44.3% (2024 Eagles). Considering the Saints’ uncertainty at QB, expect Moore to lean toward the run this year.

Moore’s offenses have consistently been fast paced with high play volume. His first five teams ranked top four in seconds per play (last year’s Eagles ranked 24th). And all six have averaged at least 65 plays per game. For perspective, only four teams averaged 65+ plays per game last year.

That boosts Miller’s upside. More plays mean more chances for fantasy points.