Could the New Orleans Saints really move fourth-year running back Kendre Miller at the NFL trade deadline? The Athletic's Jonathan Jones reports as much, but that just raises the question as to which teams could make sense as trade partners. While Miller is averaging just 2.8 yards per carry and 26.5 rushing yards per game behind an underperforming Saints offensive line, his draft status as a former third-round pick might prompt another team to take a flier on him. It seems like a third of the NFL is looking for fresh legs at running back.
The biggest name going around before the Nov. 10 trade deadline is Indianapolis Colts superstar Jonathan Taylor, with a crowd of teams rumored to be in the mix for him -- Super Bowl contenders like Seattle
Seahawks, Cincinnati Bengals, and Green Bay Packers as well as playoff hopefuls and some rebuilding outfits. But there's only one Taylor to go around and he won't come cheap. Whichever teams are left wanting could turn their attention to New Orleans if they feel half a season of Miller is better than their current options.
As to why the Saints would entertain trading Miller? He's struggled with injuries (appearing in just 27 of 59 possible games), ball security (two fumbles and four dropped passes), and inconsistent play throughout his four years with the team, and now that Travis Etienne Jr. is close to returning from injured reserve they could justify moving on from him. Miller is in a contract year and was surpassed by CJ Donaldson on the depth chart before a shoulder injury sidelined the rookie. Here are three proposals to consider:
Denver Broncos
- Denver gets: RB Kendre Miller
- New Orleans gets: 2027 seventh-round pick (projected No. 229)
Sean Payton's team has obviously cut plenty of deals with the Saints before, so a pick swap sending Miller to Denver isn't farfetched. New Orleans actually gets the pick they sent in the Devaughn Vele trade back. J.K. Dobbins leads the Broncos with just 306 rushing yards and Jonah Coleman hasn't shown he can handle more than 10 or 11 carries per game, so getting Miller into the rotation while RJ Harvey deals with a knee injury could help them out. Many of the same scouts who filed reports for Payton in New Orleans found qualities to like in Miller, so don't be shocked if there's some appeal here.
Minnesota Vikings
- Minnesota gets: RB Kendre Miller, 2028 seventh-round pick
- New Orleans gets: 2027 sixth-round pick, via Jacksonville Jaguars (projected No. 205)
You've got to spend more to get more, so swapping late-round picks gets New Orleans back on the board earlier than taking the Denver deal. The Saints own three picks in the 2028 draft's seventh round so they can afford to sell one here for a better pick in 2027. A sixth rounder is the best they could hope for in a compensatory pick if Miller lands a respectable contract in free agency, so getting that pick a year sooner and knowing you have it is worth more than playing the waiting game. Minnesota saw Miller make some headway a few weeks ago with a red-zone touchdown run, so maybe they could view him as a budget-friendly consolation prize if the Jonathan Taylor sweepstakes are too expensive.
New York Jets
- New York gets: 2027 fourth-round pick (projected No. 109) and RB Kendre Miller
- New Orleans gets: EDGE Will McDonald IV
The Jets don't really need Miller with Breece Hall returning from injury and Braelon Allen having filled in well during his absence, but he's more of a throw-in for this deal anyway. McDonald has played a reduced role in the Jets defense behind David Bailey and Kingsley Enagbare, and while the Jets haven't expressed interest in extending his contract they did pick up his option for 2027. McDonald is 27 years old and would give the Saints a big boost rotating into games with Carl Granderson off the left side, where he has been his most productive. He has nearly as many sacks (24.5 in 55 games) as Granderson does since 2023 (25.5 in 57 games). If the Saints beat the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, this might be a rejuvenating move for a team that could be half a game out of first place in the NFC South.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 3 teams that could trade for Saints RB Kendre Miller
