What Kansas Draft Choice Devin Neal Adds To Saints Offense

Yahoo

10-05-2025

For the last several years, the New Orleans Saints have failed to provide a complement at running back to Alvin Kamara. As a result, the Saints haven't been able to move Kamara around their formations as often and have been forced to rely on running him more between the tackles.
Taysom Hill has been the second best rushing option for New Orleans. Hill is undoubtedly a punishing and productive weapon, but the team was expected to add a physical runner sometime during the 2025 NFL Draft.
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New Orleans did just that. With the eighth choice of the sixth round and pick number 184 overall, the Saints selected running back Devin Neal from Kansas.
Here's a closer look at Neal's collegiate career and what he'll bring to New Orleans.
RB - Devin Neal, Kansas
Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) runs through the Colorado Buffaloes. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images
It was a short trip from Neal graduating Lawrence High School with his collegiate choice of the University of Kansas. He'd contribute immediately, leading the Jayhawks with 707 rushing yards and 8 scores as a freshman in 2021.
Over his last three seasons, Neal eclipsed 1,000 yards each year. He averaged 1,086 rushing yards and 5.7 per carry over his four years with the Jayhawks and scored 53 touchdowns. In both 2023 and 2024, Neal ran for over 1,265 yards and rushed for 16 scores in each season.
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Neal isn't a bad athlete, but lacks breakaway speed and doesn't bring a home-run threat to the position. He'll also need to develop his skills in the passing game to be an every down back. He struggles in blitz pickup and hasn't shown much natural ability as a pass categories out of the backfield.
Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal (4) carries the ball into the end zone for a touchdown against the Houston Cougars. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images
While a physical runner, Neal has an upright style that gives tacklers an easy target. He'll need to improve his leverage for better contact balance and eliminate any hesitation when first hitting open lanes.
Listed at 5'11" and 213-Lbs., Neal has an angry running style that fans love. He does have an impressive initial burst that gets him to daylight and an extra gear to pull away from defenders.
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Neal has nice vision for zone-blocking schemes and a one-cut style that allows him to hit the hole quickly. His excellent lateral agility also causes him to make tacklers miss often, with the combined power to lower his head for extra yardage.
Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal (4) runs with the ball against the UNLV Rebels. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
William Purnell-Imagn Images
Not just a between-the-tackles runner, Neal has the speed to be dangerous on off-tackle plays. He's shown that he can handle a heavy volume of touches and still be effective late into games or a season.
Devin Neal will need to improve as a receiver and blocker for every down duties. With the Saints, his abilities as a runner could finally give the team another legitimate backfield threat without having to rely on the versatility of Taysom Hill.
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If Neal is able to be productive as a runner between the tackles and outside, then New Orleans could again use Kamara's incredible abilities around the formation. That 1-2 punch, along with Hill, can again add an element of unpredictability in the New Orleans offensive attack.
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