One of the more interesting discussions to come out of the last few years of the draft centers around whether it’s worth using a first-round pick on a running back in the modern NFL.
Under general manager Mickey Loomis, the Saints have used a pair of first-rounders on running backs in Reggie Bush (2006) and Mark Ingram (2011). Loomis was also with the organization when it selected Deuce McAllister 23rd overall in 2001.
But the NFL has started to devalue running backs as a whole in the draft, with only four running backs landing in the first round the last four years and none going higher than 24th overall. The Saints have largely followed suit. Since it took Ingram in 2011, New Orleans has only used one top-200 pick on a running back (Alvin Kamara, 67th in 2017).
While Loomis said the Saints do factor positional value into their draft decisions, he said the team does not necessarily rule out any player in a specific round.
“It kind of depends upon the level of talent and the impact the player can make,” Loomis said. “It’s definitely different than it was 10 or 20 or 30 years ago, but there are still valuable players. Every position is valuable, particularly if you can get an elite player at any position.”
Even after signing Jamaal Williams this offseason, New Orleans could be in the market at the position, potentially even in the first- or second-round.
But Loomis clarified Wednesday that any decision to draft a running back would not be made specifically with Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara’s likely NFL suspension in mind.
“It’s not going to influence who we pick,” Loomis said. ”That’s a short-term issue — and we don’t know what it’s going to be yet. Am I concerned about it? Certainly, it’s going to affect our team if something happens there, but it’s a temporary issue.”
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