New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams could likely be a cut candidate this upcoming offseason. According to Spotrac, they have him on the bubble due to his lack of production on the field as the No. 2 halfback behind star Alvin Kamara. Originally selected in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, the former BYU product spent the first few seasons with the Green Bay Packers before spending a year in Detroit and moving to New Orleans the next season. It makes sense why the Saints would release their No. 2 running back since he hasn’t been taking advantage of the carries and now the team is building a new regime.
Whoever walks in as the new head coach for the Saints would probably want to build a better supporting cast behind Kamara. Releasing Williams isn’t going to do much as far as the Saints’ financial situation but since he’s more of a rotational player, he probably won’t eclipse consistent numbers. The past 2024 campaign was his most unproductive year in eight seasons, recording just 48 carries for 164 yards and one touchdown in 14 games. This would leave the New Orleans Saints to dip their hand into this year’s NFL Draft and find another capable option that’s fresh.
Saints Running Back Jamaal Williams Could Be a Cut Candidate – 5 Teams Who May Take a Chance
Possible Next Teams
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys haven’t been successful in finding a capable replacement since parting ways with Tony Pollard last offseason. They brought in veteran journeyman options like Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook to assist Rico Dowdle. With Dowdle hitting free agency, it’s safe to say the Cowboys will be looking for a new fresh running in the first round of the draft. While they do that, they should sign a capable veteran that’s able to be a chain mover and Williams could be an option if he becomes an option.
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore did phenomenal signing Derrick Henry to a two-year contract last offseason and they’ll likely give him a new extension sooner rather than later. Keaton Mitchell returned this past 2024 campaign but it hasn’t been up to what the Ravens were expecting. Justice Hill is balling out but they need another runner to reduce the snaps for Henry as he’s aging and it’s smarter to keep him injury-free for the postseason.
Carolina Panthers
The debut of Jonathon Brooks will have to wait for at least one more year after suffering a brutal injury last season. However, the Panthers are in good hands with Chuba Hubbard but the team should play it safe and get a rotational runner to help swap duties during drives. Williams might take on a role on a one-year basis if he’s available as a free agent and could pay dividends to be another target in Bryce Young’s passing game.
Los Angeles Chargers
Nobody loves running the football more than head coach Jim Harbaugh. As of this posting, there hasn’t been any update on what the running back department will look like as J.K. Dobbins will become a free agent next month. They already have a journeyman in Gus Edwards but they might benefit from adding another back to assist him so they keep Dobbins as he had a surprisingly stellar season last year.
Kansas City Chiefs
Samaje Perine probably won’t be back considering the relationship between him and Patrick Mahomes is bleak. However, Isiah Pacheco hasn’t been the same player since suffering from an injury last season. He came back but veteran Kareem Hunt shared the majority of the snaps. If Hunt doesn’t return, they could take a shot on Williams and see if he could depend on him in certain run situations.
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