The New Orleans Saints had a season to forget in 2024. They finished last in the NFC South with a disappointing 5-12 record, failing to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth straight year. Now, with a huge cap hit on the way, the team might be tempted to hit a reset.
The New Orleans Saints had a season to forget in 2024. They finished last in the NFC South with a disappointing 5-12 record, failing to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth straight year. Now, with a huge cap hit on the way, the team might be tempted to hit a reset.
The New Orleans Saints had a season to forget in 2024. They finished last in the NFC South with a disappointing 5-12 record, failing to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth straight year. Now, with a huge cap hit on the way, the team might be tempted to hit a reset.
So far, their offseason has pointed in that direction, as it’s been solid throughout. But the team needs more offensive firepower to complement its rebuild. As a result, one analyst predicts New Orleans will draft a running back as Alvin Kamara’s successor.
Saints Predicted To Take Cameron Skattebo in 2025 NFL Draft
Kamara has been incredibly consistent for the Saints since being drafted in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He has rushed for 700+ yards in all but one year in New Orleans, but with the injuries taking a toll on him and his age reaching 30s, the Saints will need his successor in the near future.
That’s why PFSN’s Ben Rolfe predicts in his latest seven-round mock draft that the Saints will select Skattebo as the 93rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft
“It is reaching the point where succession planning for Alvin Kamara needs to become more important, and Cam Skattebo is an intriguing option for that role. Skattebo is a powerful back who can be a short-yardage hammer but has the agility to excel in open space, both as a runner and receiver. His numbers in his final season at Arizona State were eye-opening and demonstrated his versatility,” Rolfe explained.
While Kamara struggled with injuries in the latter part of 2024, he still managed 68 receptions for 543 yards, two touchdowns, and 228 carries for 950 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. Adding Skattebo to the RB room will make a ton of difference to the Saints’ offense that finished ranked 22nd in the league, per PFSN’s Offense+ metric .
Skattebo amassed 2316 all-purpose yards and 24 combined touchdowns in 2024, finishing fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Earlier in 2022, he posted 1,743 all-purpose yards with 3 receiving and seven rushing scores.
The Arizona State product was ranked in the middle of PFSN’s Dalton Miller’s Top 100 NFL Draft Big Board from January. Among the RBs, he was fifth.
Heroics aside, Skattebo is explosive in a phone booth and possesses impressive duo eyes. Additionally, he possesses three-down traits because of his impressive pass-catching prowess and endless physicality as a pass protector,” Miller said.
Skattebo won’t knock your socks off with home-run speed, but he sets defenders up well in the open field to make them miss. However, his undying desire to remain upright is reminiscent of James Connor and David Montgomery.”
While Skattebo might not be the most explosive back, he has earned his keep at every level of the sport, and it’s hard not to trust him to do the same in the NFL and potentially become Kamara’s successor in New Orleans.
