Every fantasy manager knew it was going to be a tall order for Kendre Miller to have a fantasy impact his rookie year while contending with both Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams for touches in the New Orleans Saints‘ backfield in 2023. Compounding matters for Miller’s fantasy projections is a hamstring injury he has been dealing with early in training camp as he enters his second year in the league.
Can fantasy managers expect Miller to see a significantly expanded role in 2024?
Kendre Miller’s 2024 Fantasy Outlook
- Total Fantasy Points: 127.3
- Rushing Yards: 458.7
- Rushing TDs: 2.9
- Receptions: 29.4
- Receiving Yards: 344.1
- Receiving TDs: 0.2
These are PFN’s consensus projections, correct as of August 15. The most up-to-date projections can be found in our Who Should I Draft Tool.
Additionally, Miller’s ability as a pass-catcher has never been his calling card, which means he is very unlikely to see any meaningful amount of work in this regard with Kamara still producing amongst the elite at the RB position from a receiving perspective.
Unless Williams is completely phased out of the offense and Miller starts operating as the primary second ball carrier, it doesn’t feel like Miller is a legitimate breakout fantasy candidate in 2024.
Miller’s ADP at No. 145 overall at the beginning of the 13th round as the RB47 off the board suggests fantasy managers are expecting some kind of role for the second year back in 2024. For some additional context, Miller is currently being drafted behind MarShawn Lloyd, Zach Charbonnet, and Jaylen Wright.
MORE: Fantasy Team Names | Fantasy League Names
Miller’s overall lack of involvement throughout the regular season, combined with the same returning cast of characters, makes it pretty difficult to boldly claim a big jump in production this year. He has some impressively quick feet for a bigger back, plays with good contact balance, and flashes quality vision and patience as a ball carrier.
Yet, the lack of top-tier explosiveness and durability concerns in a crowded backfield — that also cedes about five carries a game to Taysom Hill — makes it very difficult to project Miller seeing enough volume on a weekly basis to make a meaningful fantasy impact in 2024.
In this range, I would much rather throw a dart in the direction of Jaleel McLaughlin, Ray Davis, or Tyrone Tracy Jr. late in fantasy drafts.
Kyle Soppe’s Analysis of Miller’s Fantasy Value
Miller isn’t the type of player I draft at any point. In addition to other running backs I prefer, receivers like Mike Williams, Brandin Cooks, and Gabe Davis are all picked in the 13-14 round range and are more intriguing to me simply because of the upside that comes attached to their signal-callers.
I don’t doubt that Miller is a talented runner and that, eventually, he can carve out a niche in an NFL offense. I just don’t think it’s with the Saints as long as Kamara is labeled as “the guy.”
If New Orleans shows the willingness to feature Miller as a more traditional two-down back and get creative with Kamara, then we have a discussion on our hands. That wasn’t the case last season, however, and I’m not going to assume a change in philosophy until we have tangible evidence.