3 NFL Draft prospects the New Orleans Saints should avoid

3 NFL Draft prospects the Saints should avoid

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Najee Harris #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up prior of the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 19: Najee Harris #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

1. Najee Harris, Running Back, Alabama

Alvin Kamara is one of the most dynamic running backs in the NFL, but the Saints are very careful to manage the volume of his touches on a weekly basis. That makes finding a No. 2 running back a massive priority for New Orleans. Fortunately, the team has Latavious Murray locked up to fill that void through the 2022 season.

Murray isn’t the most exciting back in football, but he gives New Orleans the steady production they need on the ground. That’s why the Saints shouldn’t be tempted to spend a first round pick on an upgrade over Murray this offseason. Najee Harris projects to be a much more explosive back, but that’s not worth the premium draft asset required to land him.

Instead, the Saints need to look elsewhere to make sure they get maximum value from their only first rounder. Spending the pick on a running back is the sort of luxury pick that causes elite teams to lose ground to their competitors. Harris is a tempting talent, but he’s not the right guy for the Saints given the depth they already have at the position.

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There’s no reason New Orleans can’t look for a No. 3 running back at some point in this season’s draft, but that’s a priority for the team in the late rounds. Uncovering a hidden gem should be the goal. Spending a valuable asset on a high-profile back would be a poor use of resources by the Saints’ front office.

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