Kendre Miller

Kendre Miller 2023 Fantasy Football Rookie Profile 

Overview

Kendre Miller is a junior running back prospect from Texas Christian University (TCU), who was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the 71st pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. At 20 years of age, Miller is the youngest running back drafted this year. He will not turn 21 until mid-June. Miller arrived at TCU as a three-star recruit out of Mount Enterprise, Texas. He rushed for over 2,500 yards and 34 touchdowns as a high school senior.

In his first two seasons at TCU, Miller split time in the backfield with, among others, fellow 2023 draft prospect and former five-star recruit Zach Evans. Evans transferred to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) for the 2022-2023 season. The departure of Evans opened up an opportunity for Miller, who took the ball and ran with it. In his junior season, Miller carried the ball 224 times and scored 17 rushing touchdowns. Miller had a career Yards Per Carry (YPC) average of 6.7 during his time at TCU. A productive back relied on to carry a substantial load in his final collegiate season, Miller has a promising profile as an NFL player.

 Pros

•  Protypical NFL running back size
•  Elusive with a quick change of direction
• Good vision
• True north-south runner

Cons

• Little production in the passing game
• Running style is too upright
• Lacks explosiveness
• Questionable in pass protection

Kendre Miller Player Comparison

Dameon Pierce (Running Back, Houston Texans)

Both Miller and Dameon Pierce are of similar size. Both are strong enough to carry would-be tacklers for a couple of extra yards to finish off their runs. Each player is lacking in true breakaway speed. It will likely be common to see either of them caught from behind by pursuing defenders. While there are similarities, Pierce has greater ability in the passing game and therefore is more of a true three-down back. Miller will have to prove to his new coaching staff that he can pick up blitzing linebackers in pass protection if he ever wants to be on the field on third down.

Both men have a similar upright running style which promotes taking too many hits at the NFL level. With sufficiently agile feet, Miller and Pierce can change direction between the tackles, allowing them to elude defenders and gain extra yardage. While I do not see Miller having the same level of involvement in his rookie season as Pierce, that is largely due to the veteran presence in front of him. Pierce benefitted from a much shallower depth chart in Houston. Miller is certain to see fewer touches in his rookie campaign.

Kendre Miller Fantasy Football Projection

Since being drafted by New Orleans, Miller has stated that he does not “sit too well” as a backup. He declared he is “coming for” the lead role in the Saints’ backfield. I love his confidence in these statements, but supplanting Alvin Kamara is easier said than done. But with a potential suspension looming for Kamara, Miller may see more opportunity than otherwise expected. Kamara is facing battery charges emanating from a 2022 fight at a Las Vegas nightclub.

With veteran Jamaal Williams joining the team in free agency this year, Kamara is not the only competition for carries that Miller will face. Williams figures to be heavily utilized in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Williams led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 2022 with 17 scores. With limited production in the passing game and questions about his pass-protection abilities, Miller is not likely to be on the field for third downs. Expect Miller to be brought along slowly in this offense, limiting his value in redraft formats.

Yet, with an aging Kamara facing discipline from the NFL, Miller has a fairly bright future. He will likely be drafted as a top-five running back in dynasty rookie drafts. Expect that to be in the early-to-mid second round in 1QB formats and the late second round or early third round in superflex leagues. His youth will serve him well, with his window for production being a bit wider than other running backs drafted in 2023.

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