Clyde

Edwards-Helaire

It’s been done. He’ll be joined by QB Chris Oladokun, FB Carson Steele, WR Hal Presley, OT Chu Godrick, OL C.J. Hanson, DT Coziah Izzard, DT Brodric Martin, CB Melvin Smith Jr, CB Kevin Knowles and FS Mike Edwards.

It’s possible that this is just a short-term move the Saints have made knowing that nobody else is going to pick up Edwards-Helaire, and that they’ll sign him back to the practice squad or 53-man roster. CE-H played 33 snaps for the Saints in the preseason and is a logical third-down back fit behind Alvin Kamara, with the only problem being Kamara doesn’t really need to be taken off the field on third down. If the Saints decline to bring Edwards-Helaire back, Kendre Miller and Devin Neal will likely back up Kamara.

“As of now, the third-year running back has been far too inconsistent through nine practices and he’s been outshone by several other backs,” Paras writes. Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Devin Neal (currently dealing with a hamstring injury) could be the main backs to know behind Alvin Kamara this year, with Neal being the upside choice of the two.

Akers’ audition at the Saints’ June 10-12 mandatory minicamp was a success. The development is bad news for Kendre Miller, Devin Neal and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The trio was competing for the No. 2 spot behind the soon-to-be 30-year-old Alvin Kamara, who could use a reliable rushing complement. Akers ran well last year, playing for both the Texans and Vikings. Active for Weeks 9-Wild Card Weekend with the latter team, Akers averaged 4.9 yards per carry and 3.0 yards after contact. The depth chart is not yet set in stone, but Akers is best treated as the presumed No. 2 at this time.

CEH will be back with the Saints for the start of the 2025 offseason. The former first-round pick was active for two games last season for the Saints, rushing 13 times for 46 yards while adding another three catches for 24 yards. With new head coach Kellen Moore now in town, the Saints are sure to have some roster turnover this offseason, but Edwards-Helaire could have a chance to battle for a roster spot if he sticks around until training camp.

CEH was never signed to the Saints’ 53-man roster after joining their practice squad in late December. The former first-round pick saw his practice squad contract expire today, meaning he is now a free agent who can sign with any team. In two games played with the Saints, CEH rushed for 46 scoreless yards on 13 carries while adding another three receptions for 24 yards on five targets. He will turn 26 in April and could land with another team this offseason in hopes of winning a roster spot in camp. In addition to Edwards-Helaire, running back Dalvin Cook and wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie also saw their practice squad contracts expire and are now free agents.

Edwards-Helaire was brought in at the end of the season with the Saints dealing with a host of injuries in their backfield, and he rushed for 46 yards in his two appearances. The 25-year-old was once viewed as the “next big thing” at the tailback position, but now projects as nothing more than organizational depth. You just never really know.

Miller suffered the brain injury in the Saints’ Week 17 loss to the Raiders, which would subsequently end his season if he’s not able to clear protocol in time for Week 18’s game against the Buccaneers. Former 2020 first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire led the Saints with five carries for 20 rushing yards against the Raiders and would presumably serve as the team’s RB1 if Miller is unable to play.

With Kendre Miller leaving the game in the second quarter with a concussion, Edwards-Helaire became the main running back for the Saints. Of course, that only amounted to five carries and four targets in the passing game, while running behind an injured offensive line that opened up few holes. CEH is also still on the practice squad, so he would need to be elevated again next week, but if Kendre Miller were to be out for Week 18, we assume it would be CEH who would lead the backfield. However, we still wouldn’t trust him against the Bucs outside of the deepest formats.

Miller went into the blue medical tent in the second quarter and is now in danger of missing the remainder of the game. In his absence, Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been handling the majority of the running back work and likely would for the remainder of the game if Miller can’t come back.