The New Orleans Saints made a timely pick-up by signing former Lions’ running back Jamaal Williams during the offseason. The Saints are awaiting to find out how many games star running back Alvin Kamara will miss due to an incident at a Las Vegas strip club in 2022. Enter; Jamaal Williams.
Williams was drafted in the fourth round in the 2017 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers. After four years in Green Bay, Williams spent two years with the Detroit Lions where he thrived statistically, especially in 2022.
The former BYU Cougar led the league in rushing touchdowns (17), which surpassed former Lions running back Barry Sanders single-season franchise record (16). Williams also rushed for 1,066 yards (ranked 10th) on 262 attempts in 2022.
Williams is a stout, physical running back that can help New Orleans in short yardage situations.
In his rushing touchdown attempts in 2022, the average distance was 0.24 yards.
Williams may not be the pass catcher or elusive runner like Kamara, but he plays with grit and rushes with intensity on every attempt. He also bestows vocal leadership among his teammates as seen in a viral video from last season.
The Saints offense struggled on the ground in 2022. Last year, the Saints ranked 19th overall in rushing yardage.
Throughout the years, New Orleans always had a solid duo in the backfield. There was the Mark Ingram and Kamara pairing in 2018 that placed the Saints rushing attack at sixth overall.
There was also the Latavius Murray and Kamara tandem that put the Saints ground game at sixth overall as well in 2020.
Kamara will likely receive a multiple-game suspension due to his off the field actions, but when he eventually returns, Williams and Kamara will be one of the best backfields in the league.
If the Saints are in a 3rd-and-1 situation? Insert Williams. If the Saints want to spread the offense out and garner a big yardage play? Insert Kamara.
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Featured Image Courtesy of Saints.com