The New Orleans Saints have areas that need to be addressed including at quarterback, wide receiver, safety and on the defensive line. There are multiple routes that the Saints can take with the 29th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The latest mock draft from CBS Sports has New Orleans adding to their running back depth chart in selecting Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who is getting Alvin Kamara comparisons by many.
Jahmyr Gibbs Draws Alvin Kamara Comparison:
The running back group for the Saints could be in question mark heading into the new season as Kamara and Mark Ingram were the two main running backs on the depth chart this season. Ingram was sidelined for the season due to an injury and that left Kamara getting the majority of the workload. A multi-game suspension is still looking for Kamara and that will open up the door for New Orleans to add a quarterback.
According to CBS Sports, Gibbs is the perfect candidate to take over the lead back role whenever Kamara is serving that suspension and he is drawing comparison to the veteran running back:
“Jahmyr Gibbs has drawn comparisons to Dalvin Cook and Alvin Kamara as both a runner and a receiver. The Saints have big needs at quarterback, for sure, but they’re not going to find one at this point in the first round. Instead, they double up on Kamara-type talents in the backfield.”
Gibbs spent most of his collegiate career at Georgia Tech before transferring to Alabama prior to the start of the 2022 season. He showed his explosiveness as a playmaker as he finished second in Crimson Tide single-season history for receptions by a running back with 44. Gibbs averaged 6.1 yards per carry to rank third in the SEC. He would total a team-high 926 rushing yards while adding seven touchdowns on a team-high 151 carries. Gibbs led the team with 44 receptions for 444 yards and three touchdowns.
Jahmyr Gibbs Scouting Report:
Hear from CBS Sports as to why Gibbs would be a perfect fit in New Orleans as he has the ability to accelerate when he reaches the second level and is effective in both phases at the running back position:
“While many may not have been familiar with Gibbs’ work at Georgia Tech, he had shown his capabilities in two years with the Yellow Jackets, but now he is doing it on a grander stage. In the run game, the Georgia native shows an ability to get up to speed quickly and the vision necessary to capitalize on blocks. He fights through contact and plays with good balance. Gibbs lays it all on the line each play and covers the ball through traffic. The Crimson Tide running back is a bit lighter than the modern-day prototype, but his contributions in the pass game make him a threat lined up anywhere in the foundation.”
Gibbs would be able to make his own name in New Orleans and be a complementary running back to Kamara. He would be able to compete for the starting role if a suspension does come to light to the veteran running back and would serve a vital role in the Saints passing game.
New Orleans has to be able to have a reliable backup running back and can’t rely on some of the older running backs that the black and gold have stored in the depth chart. Gibbs would be able to bring value on third downs and he has the chance to make a big play every time that he has the ball in his hands.
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