Kendre Miller has emerged as a compelling figure in the NFL landscape, particularly for fans of the New Orleans Saints and those with an eye on fantasy football. A powerful and elusive running back, Miller’s journey from high school standout to a professional athlete has been marked by explosive plays and undeniable potential, albeit with challenges.
Defining Kendre Miller: A Young Talent’s Profile
Kendre Miller, born on June 11, 2002, is an American professional football running back currently playing for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Hailing from Mount Enterprise, Texas, Miller made a name for himself in college football with the TCU Horned Frogs before being selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Standing at 6 feet 0 inches and weighing approximately 220 pounds, Miller possesses a physical build well-suited for the demanding nature of an NFL running back.
His collegiate career at TCU saw him progress from a rotational back to a dominant force, culminating in a highly productive 2022 season where he became a First-team All-Big 12 honoree. His NFL career, while still in its early stages, has offered glimpses of the talent that made him a third-round pick, despite being impacted by injuries.
From College to the NFL: Career Highlights and Draft Profile
Kendre Miller’s path to the NFL was paved with impressive performances at TCU, where he showcased his versatility and running prowess.
Collegiate Career: A Rising Star
Miller’s time at TCU spanned from 2020 to 2022. As a true freshman in 2020, he demonstrated his potential, rushing for 388 yards on 54 carries with two touchdowns. In 2021, his sophomore year, he continued to contribute significantly, finishing second on the team with 623 rushing yards on 83 carries and seven touchdowns.
The 2022 season was his breakout year. Miller took over as TCU’s main ball-carrier and had a breakout season, amassing 1,399 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns while averaging an impressive 6.2 yards per carry. This stellar performance was crucial in TCU’s surprising run to the National Championship game. His ability to consistently break tackles, create yardage after contact, and find the end zone solidified his status as one of the top running back prospects in the nation. He displayed remarkable vision, patience, and a burst that allowed him to hit holes quickly and outrun defenders in the open field.
NFL Draft Profile: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Fit
Explosiveness and Burst: Miller demonstrates an excellent ability to accelerate quickly, eating up yardage in a hurry.
Vision and Patience: He exhibits a keen understanding of blocking schemes and a knack for allowing plays to develop before hitting the open lane.
Contact Balance and Power: Despite not being a true “bruiser” in the mold of some larger backs, Miller possesses exceptional balance and leg drive, enabling him to shed arm tackles and gain yards after initial contact. He consistently falls forward at the end of runs, maximizing every carry.
Decisive Runner: When he sees a lane, Miller is quick to commit and explode through it.
Goal-Line Threat: His nose for the end zone was evident in his college production, particularly his 17 touchdowns in 2022.
The New Orleans Saints ultimately selected Kendre Miller in the third round as the 71st overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. This selection indicated the Saints’ belief in his talent and their plan to integrate him into their backfield alongside established veterans like Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams. The team’s stated intention was to find a back who could gain tough yards and alleviate some of the workload from Kamara, a role Miller appeared well-suited for.
Kendre Miller’s NFL Career So Far: A Mix of Promise and Challenges
Kendre Miller’s professional career with the New Orleans Saints has been a learning experience, marked by both promising moments and frustrating setbacks due to injuries.
Rookie Season (2023): Glimpses of Potential
In his rookie campaign in 2023, Miller appeared in eight games. He recorded 41 carries for 156 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. He also added ten receptions for 117 receiving yards. He scored his first professional touchdown in Week 18 versus the Atlanta Falcons.
While his statistical output wasn’t overwhelming, his limited appearances were largely a result of injury. He dealt with a hamstring issue that placed him on injured reserve for a significant portion of the season. Despite the restricted playing time, Miller showed flashes of the burst and contact balance that made him a highly-touted prospect. When on the field, he demonstrated the ability to be a hard-nosed runner capable of picking up tough yards.
2024 Season: Continued Injury Struggles and Fresh Start Buzz
The 2024 season presented further challenges for Miller regarding health. He began the season on injured reserve with another hamstring injury, missing the first six contests. He returned for a few games but again found himself sidelined with the same issue.
Toward the end of the season, he also sustained a concussion that kept him out of the final game. In total, he missed 11 of 13 games during parts of the 2024 season due to two IR stints.
The recurring injuries have been a significant talking point surrounding Miller’s young career. There were reports that the previous coaching staff expressed frustration with his inability to stay healthy. However, as of mid-2025, there’s a new narrative emerging.
With a new coaching staff in New Orleans, including offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, there’s a sense that Miller is being given a “blank slate.” Moore has reportedly emphasized a fresh start, suggesting a renewed opportunity for Miller to prove his value and earn a more consistent role in the offense.
Impact on the Saints’ Offense
When healthy, Kendre Miller offers the Saints a valuable skillset. His north-south running style, combined with his ability to break tackles and gain yards after contact, complements Alvin Kamara’s more elusive and pass-catching-oriented game. Miller can handle tough interior runs, wear down defenses, and convert in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
The Saints have sought a back who can consistently get “tough yards” and lighten Kamara’s load, a role Miller is physically built for. The goal is to create a dynamic backfield that keeps defenses off-balance.
Practical Tips for Understanding Kendre Miller’s Role
For fans and fantasy football enthusiasts, understanding Kendre Miller’s situation requires a nuanced approach, especially given his injury history and the Saints’ backfield composition.
How to Evaluate His Potential
Monitor Health Updates: This is paramount. Miller’s availability directly correlates with his opportunity. Any sustained period of health will be a major indicator of his potential breakout.
Observe Coaching Staff Utilization: Pay close attention to how the new offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore, deploys Miller. Will he be given a significant share of early-down carries? Will his role in the passing game expand?
Assess Competition in the Backfield: Alvin Kamara remains the Saints’ lead back, and the team also drafted Devin Neal in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Miller will need to consistently outperform or out-produce his competition to carve out a prominent role.
Analyze Efficiency Metrics: When he does play, look at advanced statistics like yards per carry, yards after contact, and missed tackles forced. These metrics provide deeper insight into his effectiveness beyond raw yardage.
What to Look for in 2025 and Beyond
Durability: Can he stay on the field for a full season or at least a significant portion of it? This is the most crucial factor for his long-term success and fantasy relevance.
Red Zone Touches: Given his power and nose for the end zone in college, an increase in red zone opportunities would significantly boost his scoring potential.
Pass-Catching Development: If Miller can become a more reliable target out of the backfield, it would unlock his full three-down potential and make him even more valuable. The Saints have shown a willingness to throw to their running backs, so there’s an opportunity for him here.
Consistency: Can he consistently produce efficient runs and avoid negative plays?
Recent Trends (as of Mid-2025) and Expert Analysis
As of mid-2025, the primary trend surrounding Kendre Miller is the optimism surrounding his “blank slate” with the new Saints coaching staff.
New Coaching Staff’s Perspective
Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s public statements about Miller getting a fresh start are significant. This suggests a willingness to invest in his development and give him a legitimate chance to compete for a substantial role. This is a departure from previous reports hinting at dissatisfaction with his injury-prone status.
Fantasy Football Outlook 2025
For fantasy football, Kendre Miller is currently viewed as a high-upside sleeper, primarily in deeper leagues or as a “handcuff” to Alvin Kamara. His average draft position (ADP) is relatively low, making him a low-risk, high-reward pick.
Projections for 2025 vary, but many anticipate an increase in rush attempts and potentially touchdowns if he can remain healthy. The Saints’ strength of schedule for running backs in 2025 is considered relatively easy, which could benefit Miller if he earns significant touches.
Experts often point to his collegiate production and physical traits as reasons for optimism. However, the recurring hamstring issues remain a major concern.
His fantasy value is heavily tied to his ability to stay on the field and potentially step into a larger role if Kamara were to miss time. The drafting of Devin Neal adds another layer of competition, but Miller’s third-round draft capital from 2023 still carries weight in terms of team investment.
Player Comparisons
Some analysts have drawn comparisons between Kendre Miller and other NFL running backs known for their power and efficiency. One notable comparison is to Nick Chubb, though with the caveat that Chubb is faster and more developed as a receiver. These comparisons highlight Miller’s potential to be a strong, downhill runner who consistently gains yards after contact.
FAQ
What are Kendre Miller’s key strengths as a running back?
Miller’s key strengths include his explosive burst, decisive running style, excellent contact balance, and ability to consistently gain yards after contact. He is also considered a strong short-yardage and goal-line runner.
Has Kendre Miller dealt with injuries in his NFL career?
Yes, Kendre Miller has unfortunately dealt with recurring injuries, particularly hamstring issues, throughout his young NFL career. He missed significant time in both his 2023 rookie season and the 2024 season due to these setbacks, as well as a concussion at the end of 2024.
What is Kendre Miller’s outlook for the 2025 NFL season?
The outlook for Kendre Miller in 2025 is largely dependent on his ability to stay healthy. With a new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore reportedly offering him a “blank slate,” there’s renewed optimism for him to carve out a more consistent role behind Alvin Kamara. He is seen as an intriguing fantasy football sleeper due to his talent and potential opportunity.
How does Kendre Miller fit into the New Orleans Saints’ offense?
Kendre Miller provides a valuable complement to Alvin Kamara in the Saints’ backfield. He offers a more physical, downhill running style, capable of handling tough interior runs and converting in short-yardage situations. His presence aims to take some of the workload off Kamara and create a more versatile and unpredictable run game for the Saints.
Final Thoughts
Kendre Miller represents a fascinating case study of potential meeting challenges in the NFL. His collegiate dominance at TCU clearly demonstrated the talent to be a productive NFL running back.
However, a significant injury history has thus far hindered his ability to consistently showcase that talent at the professional level. As of mid-2025, the narrative shifts with a new coaching staff in New Orleans, signaling a fresh opportunity for Miller to prove his durability and earn a more substantial role.
For the Saints, a healthy and productive Kendre Miller could be a critical piece in establishing a formidable ground attack, complementing Alvin Kamara and providing the tough yards needed to sustain drives.
For fantasy football enthusiasts, he remains a high-upside gamble, a player whose potential rewards could far outweigh his relatively low cost if he can overcome his injury woes. The 2025 season will be a pivotal one for Kendre Miller, as he looks to establish himself as a reliable and impactful NFL running back.
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