New Orleans Saints RB Kendre Miller did his dynasty value no favors with a forgettable rookie season. Is he poised for a bigger role in 2024? Is there anything fantasy football managers can do other than hold and hope for the best?
Kendre Miller’s Dynasty Outlook
The Saints drafted Alvin Kamara way back in 2017. He will be 29 years old this season. His time as a top running back is coming to an end. As such, the Saints drafted Miller in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, presumably hoping he would emerge as their running back of the future. The question for fantasy managers is … will he?
Kendre Miller showing off his athleticism with this impressive catch, followed by his first NFL touchdown!
The TCU product could complete a dynamic #Saints RB room 👀
pic.twitter.com/YF417mLgVT— Pro Football Network (@PFN365)
For better or worse, Miller’s rookie season didn’t give us much. Hamstring and ankle injuries limited Miller to just eight games. And in those eight games, he never even saw a 30% snap share. Whether it was Jamaal Williams, Kamara, or both, Miller wasn’t able to earn playing time.
On the one hand, this could be looked at as an indictment of his ability. And perhaps it is. But he was also 21 years old last season. We’ve seen plenty of running backs play minimally as rookies only to improve significantly in more prominent roles as sophomores. That very well could be Miller’s future.
Miller only carried the ball 41 times for 156 yards as a rookie. He added 10 receptions for 117 yards. There’s just not much to go on. If you liked Miller as a prospect, his rookie year shouldn’t necessarily do anything to change your opinion.
With that said, Miller’s college target share suggests he’s more of a two-down grinder, and he wasn’t exactly used in the passing game as a rookie. If Miller can’t at least earn the RB2 role as a sophomore, it’s likely he won’t ever emerge into a useful fantasy asset.
Miller’s’Â Dynasty Ranking
Where does Miller land in the dynasty RB landscape going into the 2024 offseason? Here are Katz’s latest rankings, featuring where Miller lands in comparison to other top names at the position.
Jason Katz’s Top 60 Dynasty RB Rankings
1) Breece Hall | NYJ
2) Bijan Robinson | ATL
3) Jahmyr Gibbs | DET
4) Christian McCaffrey | SF
5) Jonathan Taylor | IND
6) Travis Etienne Jr. | JAX
7) De’Von Achane | MIA
8) Saquon Barkley | NYG
9) Rachaad White | TB
10) Isiah Pacheco | KC
11) Kenneth Walker III | SEA
12) Josh Jacobs | LV
13) Kyren Williams | LAR
14) James Cook | BUF
15) D’Andre Swift | PHI
16) Javonte Williams | DEN
17) Tony Pollard | DAL
18) Tyjae Spears | TEN
19) Rhamondre Stevenson | NE
20) Joe Mixon | CIN
21) Alvin Kamara | NO
22) David Montgomery | DET
23) Brian Robinson Jr. | WAS
24) Derrick Henry | TEN
25) Austin Ekeler | LAC
26) Najee Harris | PIT
27) Jaylen Warren | PIT
28) Zach Charbonnet | SEA
29) Nick Chubb | CLE
30) Aaron Jones | GB
31) Roschon Johnson | CHI
32) Jerome Ford | CLE
33) James Conner | ARI
34) Raheem Mostert | MIA
35) Khalil Herbert | CHI
36) Chuba Hubbard | CAR
37) Keaton Mitchell | BAL
38) Kendre Miller | NO
39) Devin Singletary | HOU
40) Tyler Allgeier | ATL
41) Antonio Gibson | WAS
42) Chase Brown | CIN
43) Ty Chandler | MIN
44) Zamir White | LV
45) AJ Dillon | GB
46) Alexander Mattison | MIN
47) Gus Edwards | BAL
48) J.K. Dobbins | BAL
49) Zack Moss | IND
50) Miles Sanders | CAR
51) Tank Bigsby | JAX
52) Elijah Mitchell | SF
53) Kenneth Gainwell | PHI
54) Ezekiel Elliott | NE
55) Samaje Perine | DEN
56) Kareem Hunt | CLE
57) D’Onta Foreman | CHI
58) Jamaal Williams | NO
59) Israel Abanikanda | NYJ
60) Jeff Wilson Jr. | MIA
Should You Trade Miller in Dynasty?
Are you considering trading Miller? Our free PFN Trade Analyzer allows you to find the best trades to make in seconds!
If you’re thinking about moving Miller, now is probably not the time. After an uninspiring rookie season, his dynasty value is undoubtedly lower now than it was right after he was drafted. Unless you think there’s no chance he breaks out, there’s not much sense in trading him now. The return just won’t be worth it.
MORE: 2024 Dynasty ROOKIE Rankings
While we’d like to see Miller ascend this season, the Saints are in a tricky spot. Their salary cap situation is the worst in the league, and both Williams and Kamara are signed through the 2025 season. The Saints could cut Kamara this year, but I highly doubt that will happen. Williams would cost them too much to release.
If the Saints go into the 2024 season with Kamara, Williams, and Miller, the sophomore absolutely must prove he can beat out Williams for the RB2 role. Anything short of that would be very problematic for his long-term value. Dynasty managers with Miller have little choice but to hold and hope for a big step forward in 2024.
