Jamaal

Williams

After being signed to fill the “Mark Ingram” role in the Saints offense, Jamaal Williams had a pretty pedestrian fantasy season, rushing 106 times for 306 yards (2.89 yards per carry) in 13 games. He also record just one rushing touchdown on the year, while adding 18 catches on 20 targets for 62 yards receiving. The 28-year-old is under contract for two more seasons, so he figures to remain in a committee with Alvin Kamara and should continue to operate as a goal line back, despite his lack of success in those situations this season. With Taysom Hill also in town, and operating as a red zone threat, Williams doesn’t figure to have much fantasy value in 2024 unless Kamara were to be hurt, cut, or traded.

Kamara did not practice at all this week but still drew a questionable tag on Friday. The Saints were giving him every chance to suit up, but the veteran back clearly didn’t feel right in pre-game warmups and will miss Week 18. Per Underhill, rookie Kendre Miller will be active for the first time since Week 9. Jamaal Williams will draw the start and should see the bulk of the backfield touches. Though he struggled to do much in that role to start the year, his workload will put him in the RB2 ranks to close out the regular season.

Kamara was listed as a DNP for all three of the Saints’ practices before being listed as questionable. Per Rapoport, the Saints will take his status all the way down until game-time. Realistically, we will have an answer when they release their inactives 90 minutes before kickoff. If he can’t go, Jamaal Williams will see the bulk of the touches versus Atlanta. Williams will rank as a low-end RB2 to close out the regular season.

Williams saw an increased role against the Buccaneers with Alvin Kamara suffering an ankle injury and not returning to the game. With the Saints leading in the second half, Williams saw many carries, though he often ran into a wall and finished with just over three yards per carry on the day. He will be the lead back again for the Saints if Kamara remains out Week 18 against the Falcons.

Williams added a two-yard reception. Williams has reached 10 touches one time since Week 1. Especially with Taysom Hill back healthy, Williams’ contingency value isn’t enough to justify rostering him for the final two weeks of the fantasy playoffs.

Hill will miss at least this week’s game with a foot injury. His absence will change the dynamic of the entire New Orleans offense. It should mean more carries for Alvin Kamara, including opportunities near the goal line, where Hill has dominated. Jamaal Williams should also mix in against a weak Carolina rush defense.

Williams again operated as the team’s No. 2 back behind Alvin Kamara. Kendre Miller (knee) remained sidelined against Atlanta. Williams would be the Saints’ primary back if Kamara were to miss time during the season’s final month and change.

The Saints never established a run game, with both Williams and Kamara finishing under 10 carries. Williams has had fewer than five carries in three straight games, leaving him little standalone value. The Saints play Atlanta following a Week 10 bye.

Williams is the clear No. 2 running back behind Alvin Kamara in the Saints offense. He has not been productive this season, as he has not crossed 40 total yards since Week 1. Williams did get the first pair of running back touches in the game, but was hardly used afterwards. With Taysom Hill and Kendre Miller in the mix, Williams is an RB4 in a Week 10 matchup against the Vikings.

Allen plans to ramp up Williams’ workload in the coming weeks after giving him just five carries in Week 7. Williams played on 22.2 percent of the Saints’ offensive snaps in the loss to the Jaguars, but with Alvin Kamara playing an every-down role, it will be interesting to see how involved the Saints want Williams to be. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Williams step into some sort of goal-line role after thriving in those short yardage situations with the Lions in 2022, but Williams could be hard to trust in fantasy as long as Kamara is healthy. Allen also said Kendre Miller was dealing with a bit of a shoulder issue prior to Week 7, but he hopes to get him more involved going forward as well.