If you complete a search for Kendre Miller online, you will see a ton of hype surrounding the New Orleans Saints‘ second-year running back. Miller’s fantasy outlook has been talked about a lot for a player who has barely played in the NFL due to injuries.
We must question if the hype will ever come to fruition or if Miller will forever be a “what if”? With Miller dealing with injuries throughout training camp, we have to use a crystal ball to analyze what will come from his 2024 fantasy football season.
Kendre Miller’s Fantasy Profile for the 2024 NFL Season
Miller’s fantasy outlook seems bleak, with Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, and Taysom Hill all slated to run in a rotation through the backfield. Additionally, the second-year back is starting the season on the IR, meaning he will miss a minimum of four weeks. Miller’s toolkit is impressive, which is what keeps fantasy managers running back to the well.
Only so many 220-pound running backs can burst out of cuts like Miller can. He also has an incredible ability to sneak low into his cuts, which helps with his elusiveness out of the backfield.
Outside of his injuries, we would like to see other issues within Miller’s game fixed in 2024. One of his significant issues centers around his stamina and top-end speed. Miller’s inability to break away in the open field leads to major plays being wiped off the board.
Another issue is Miller’s strength. For a running back who is 200 pounds, he struggles to translate that size to power when on the field. He’s comfortable with avoiding contact, which has led to him coming to full stops in mid-plays. A full stop may work in college, but it’s the nail in the coffin in the NFL.
Miller only received 41 total carries due to injuries last season. However, according to TruMedia, he did produce the 28th-best yards after contact per rush with a 3.12 total. Perhaps this stat can show us he’s made a turn for the better, but the limited window through which we can peak makes it hard to tell.
Is Miller a Good Fantasy Pick?
Miller has an average draft position (ADP) of 180 overall. However, he should still be a fade this season.
It’s rare that running backs can enter the NFL, suffer injuries throughout their entire first year and then, subsequently, their second-year training camp, and be memorable for fantasy football.
Miller’s head coach, Dennis Allen, has also had negative remarks regarding his availability for the Saints this season. With Kamara still in town, Miller’s snap percentages will be too low to help us for fantasy.
Keep an eye on Miller’s bye week (Week 12). The person who drafts Miller may drop him to make space for that crucial week. If so, we should implement the draft strategy of grabbing upside players on waivers who could elevate our rosters. Since that will be at the end of the year, he should have fresher legs than the veteran Kamara and may be utilized within the offense more towards the end of 2024.