The New Orleans Saints crossed an important item off their off-season to-do list Wednesday.
According to an NFL Network report, the Saints agreed to terms with free agent running back Jamaal Williams on a three-year deal that will pay him $12 million, including $8 million in guarantees.
The 27-year-old Williams is coming off the best season of his career, rushing for 1,066 yards and an NFL-leading 17 touchdowns for the Detroit Lions, and he plugs a big gap in the Saints offense.
Before bringing Williams on board, New Orleans had just three running backs under contract in Alvin Kamara, Eno Benjamin and Derrick Gore, and Kamara will likely face a suspension from the NFL for his involvement in a fracas last February in Las Vegas.
But, even if Kamara would have been available for 17 games this season, the Saints went into this season seeking to upgrade the depth at the position.
New Orleans has leaned heavily on Kamara for two straight years as it has failed to find a trustworthy counterpart to take some of the burden off his shoulders. As his usage rate increased, Kamara saw his yards per carry average plummet.
In Williams, the Saints hope to have found an answer to that problem.
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