The full backfield depth chart
Every running back and fullback assigned to New Orleans Saints, including reserve and practice-squad entries. Chart order and replacement opportunity answer different questions: a passing-down specialist can sit ahead of the back most likely to inherit the carries.
Source: nflverse depth-chart feed · Feed dated Thu, Sep 10, 8:01 AM EDT. Equal ranks are ties. Unlisted backs are not assigned an invented rank. FB ranks are separate from RB ranks.
Every back: role, upside and obstacles
The player assessments below explain the skills that could earn work and the assignments that might go to someone else. Role labels describe scouting assessments; they are not confirmed snap shares. “Three-down” means a skill set for rushing and passing situations, not a guarantee of every down.
RB1 · Three-down back
Travis Etienne Jr.
Age 27 · 6 years of NFL experience · active
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed
Signed to a four-year, $52M deal to be New Orleans' lead runner and pass catcher. Versatile three-down back with a good availability record; clearly ahead of Kamara for early-down and volume work.
Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.
Path to more work
He is the starter in the dated board above. For fantasy purposes, the question is how much of the rushing and passing work he keeps when the whole room is available.
Why the work could go elsewhere
A starter can still lose third downs, short-yardage work or change-of-pace touches to specialists. His role assessment describes the skill set, not a guarantee that every assignment stays with him.
The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.
Draft investment
2021 · Round 1 · Pick 25
Drafted by JAX; not necessarily his current team.
Early-round investment is part of his prospect pedigree and may support a chance to develop. It does not guarantee the next workload, especially after a team change.
Draft record sourceWhat the recorded workload tells us
In 2025, his 17 recorded games include 260 carries and 36 receptions on 52 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.
Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.
Player research sources
RB2 · Receiving back
Alvin Kamara
Age 31 · 10 years of NFL experience · active
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Positive assessmentDated board designation: Questionable
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed
Franchise icon reduced to a passing-down and situational role at 31 after New Orleans paid Etienne. Still a savvy protector and route runner, but the explosiveness is gone and reporting suggests minimal playing time.
Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.
Path to more work
His path begins with an opening behind Travis Etienne Jr.. The dated board currently prefers Kendre Miller for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.
Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Travis Etienne Jr.. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.
Why the work could go elsewhere
A receiving specialist can retain passing-down work without becoming the lead runner. A bigger rushing role could go to a different teammate even if this player appears higher on the chart.
The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.
Draft investment
2017 · Round 3 · Pick 67
Drafted by NO; not necessarily his current team.
Day-two draft investment adds prospect context. His current role, availability and competition still decide whether he gets the next opportunity.
Draft record sourceWhat the recorded workload tells us
In 2025, his 11 recorded games include 131 carries and 33 receptions on 39 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.
Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.
Player research sources
RB3 · Early-down runner
Kendre Miller
Age 24 · 4 years of NFL experience · active
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed
Talented downhill runner whose career has been derailed by injuries; he is in a contract year fighting for a rotational role. Would take early-down carries in a pinch, but betting on his availability has never paid off.
Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.
Path to more work
The dated board selects him as the preferred replacement behind Travis Etienne Jr.. That is a projection of the replacement role, not a promise that he gets every touch.
Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Travis Etienne Jr., Alvin Kamara. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.
Why the work could go elsewhere
An early-down profile offers a path to carries between the tackles. A receiving or protection specialist could still handle third downs, limiting a full-workload takeover.
Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.
Draft investment
2023 · Round 3 · Pick 71
Drafted by NO; not necessarily his current team.
Day-two draft investment adds prospect context. His current role, availability and competition still decide whether he gets the next opportunity.
Draft record sourceWhat the recorded workload tells us
In 2025, his 7 recorded games include 47 carries and 5 receptions on 5 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.
Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.
Player research sources
RB4 · Early-down runner
Audric Estime
Age 23 · 3 years of NFL experience · active
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed
Big-bodied short-yardage back who was one of New Orleans' go-to options late last season. Useful as a goal-line hammer, but limited as a receiver and not a three-down answer if Etienne went down.
Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.
Path to more work
His path begins with an opening behind Travis Etienne Jr.. The dated board currently prefers Kendre Miller for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.
Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Travis Etienne Jr., Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.
Why the work could go elsewhere
An early-down profile offers a path to carries between the tackles. A receiving or protection specialist could still handle third downs, limiting a full-workload takeover.
Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.
Draft investment
2024 · Round 5 · Pick 147
Drafted by DEN; not necessarily his current team.
A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.
Draft record sourceWhat the recorded workload tells us
In 2025, his 5 recorded games include 46 carries and 12 receptions on 13 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.
Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.
Player research sources
RB5 · Role under review
Ty Chandler
Age 28 · 5 years of NFL experience · injured reserve
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Ty Chandler is a veteran runner and returner with 710 rushing yards, 212 receiving yards and 386 kickoff-return yards across 40 NFL games. His best rushing season came in 2023, when he made four starts and produced 461 yards and three touchdowns on 102 carries.
Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 11:53 AM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.
Path to more work
Chandler's NFL starts, catches and return experience give him a broader reserve résumé than an untested runner. If healthy and restored to the roster, he could compete for depth work in both the backfield and return game.
Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Travis Etienne Jr., Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, Audric Estime. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.
Why the work could go elsewhere
New Orleans placed Chandler on injured reserve on August 25 after a preseason injury. The team did not provide a return timetable in the cited report, so no near-term workload should be projected; his recent rushing volume was also limited to 17 carries in 2025.
Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.
Draft investment
2022 · Round 5 · Pick 169
Drafted by MIN; not necessarily his current team.
A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.
Draft record sourceWhat the recorded workload tells us
In 2025, his 3 recorded games include 17 carries and 3 receptions on 4 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.
His roster feed status is injured reserve. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.
Player research sources
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
CJ Donaldson is a rookie listed by NO at RB, from Ohio State. The official roster lists him at 6-1 and 230 pounds.
Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.
Path to more work
A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.
Why the work could go elsewhere
The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.
Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.
Draft investment
Draft history unavailable
A verified draft record is not available here. Missing data does not mean he went undrafted.
Draft record sourceWhat the recorded workload tells us
No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.
His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.
Player research sources
Unlisted · Role under review
Zamir White
Age 26 · 5 years of NFL experience · practice squad
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Zamir White is a five-year veteran listed by NO at RB, from Georgia. The official roster lists him at 6-0 and 227 pounds.
Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.
Path to more work
A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.
Why the work could go elsewhere
The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.
Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.
Draft investment
2022 · Round 4 · Pick 122
Drafted by LV; not necessarily his current team.
A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.
Draft record sourceWhat the recorded workload tells us
No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.
His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.
Player research sources
