The Saints just signed Alvin Kamara ($7,600) to a two-year extension, so he’s not going anywhere after a few trade rumors swirled early in the week. However, that doesn’t mean there are no other fantasy assets in the New Orleans backfield. In fact, this is the week to get ahead of the game and stash Kendre Miller ($4,700) off the waiver wire.
The Background
Miller missed the first six weeks of the NFL season with a hamstring injury and just returned last week. He played 20 snaps in his return (29%) and had six carries for 36 yards with a long run of 16 yards. He was also targeted on three passes, meaning that on almost half his snaps he had a critical role in the play. He caught two of those targets for just one yard and finished with 5.7 fantasy points.
His Week 7 total was low enough to keep him off the radar and owned in less than 5% of leagues, but he has the potential to grow into a much more productive role as a complement to Kamara.
Miller will have to gain work from Jamaal Williams ($4,200), but he has much more dynamic upside than the plodding veteran. While some work came in garbage time, he out-napped Williams 20-to-12 in his first week back.
After the game, coach Dennis Allen said that Miller played well. “When we handed him the ball, I thought he did some good things… I was impressed with what I saw out of Kendre. I think that’s a guy that can help.”
Last year, Miller had 156 rushing yards and a touchdown on his 41 carries (3.8 YPC) and caught 10 passes for 117 receiving yards in his eight games.
While he won’t have the backfield to himself, barring injury, he and Kamara should be able to co-exist and produce, especially if Derek Carr ($5,700) returns and the offense starts clicking again, as it was early in the season.
The Bottom Line
Miller’s playing time in the next few weeks will be important to watch whether you need to stash him now in your league or can wait a week to monitor his involvement. He brings a high ceiling and big-play ability if he can be healthy the rest of the way, and the Saints need all the playmakers they can get to get their offense under Klint Kubiak back on track.
This week, the Saints are seven-point underdogs on the road against the Chargers, who are on a short week after losing to the Cardinals. Kamara is +135 to score a touchdown, while Miller is a long-shot at +650, but he could end up being great value at that price if he does step into the second running back role.
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