New Orleans Saints select Kendre Miller in third round of 2023 NFL Draft
TCU‘s star running back, Kendre Miller, has a unique blend of size and vision. That blend has just earned him a new home in the NFL, and the New Orleans Saints have selected the Horned Frogs back with the No. 71 overall pick, in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Miller finally got his chance to be the lead running back last season and did not disappoint. He had career bests in nearly every statistical category. Miller finished the year with 1399 yards on 224 attempts, averaging 6.2 yards per attempt.
Miller would also end the year with 17 rushing touchdowns. His 224 rushing attempts nearly tripled his previous best of 83, and his 1399 more than doubled his previous high of 623.
What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Miller
According to the draft analyst Lance Zierlein at NFL.com, Miller ranks as the 13-best running back prospect in this year’s draft, with a grade of 5.97; just slightly ahead of Syracuse’s Sean Tucker and Texas Longhorns’ Roschon Johnson. That grade puts him in the category of ‘Average backup or special-teamer.’ Here’s how Zierlein views Miller heading into the 2023 NFL Draft.
“The size and production will check important boxes, but Miller’s lack of tempo and explosiveness between the tackles could turn him into a grinder against the speed of NFL defenses. His restricted stride length provides greater control to cut early in the run, but it works against him when he needs to hit the gas and stride past linebackers. He has the size and strength to keep runs moving though contact, although he could be an even better run finisher. His third-down value is relatively low, so he will need to sell himself as an early down backup on the next level,” according to Zierlein.
As far as Miller’s strengths go, Zierlein has them listed as follows: “Above-average size for an NFL back; Consistently productive running the ball; Steps to the line are measured and controlled; Able to make easy changes of direction in the box; Runs with adequate vision and maintains space from defenders; Surprising agility and balance for being tight-hipped; Leg strength to carry tacklers for additional yardage.”
As for the things he needs to work on: “Runs upright and with noticeable hip tightness; Takes a step too long to transition into burst gear; Needs to lower pads and run behind them; Struggles to make crisp cuts as an outside runner; Doesn’t show enough trust in block development; Doesn’t search for much work in pass protection.”