Who Should I Start? Devin Neal or Brashard Smith

Tuesday, April 21, 7:48 AM

New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal might be penciled into the third-string role for now, but he's a sneaky buy in dynasty leagues ahead of this week's NFL Draft. The Saints brought in Travis Etienne Jr. during free agency, blocking Neal from becoming the team's starting running back in 2026. However, there's still a path for him to fill the No. 2 role while maintaining fantasy relevance. As it stands, the Saints have a crowded backfield, making it unlikely that they'll spend a premium pick on a running back in this year's draft, which is sparse at the position. At the same time, Alvin Kamara's time in New Orleans seems to be coming to an end. We would not be surprised to see Kamara traded or released around the time of the draft, when key roster decisions are typically made. But even if he does stick around for another year, Kamara's role is declining. His 3.0 catches per game and 3.6 yards per carry last year both represented new career lows for the veteran. It would surprise nobody if Neal leapfrogged Kamara on the depth chart by the middle of the season, as the 22-year-old has intriguing upside as an impact running back. The Saints want to make Neal a long-term part of their backfield, so dynasty managers would be wise to buy low while he's still buried in the third spot on the depth chart.