New Orleans Saints Draft 4,000-Yard Running Back

Neal has played four seasons with the Jayhawks, rushing for 4,343 yards and 49 touchdowns over his collegiate career. In 2024, Neal ran for 1,266 yards and 16 touchdowns on 5.8 yards a carry. He's also a sneaky threat in the receiving game, earning 20+ catches over the last three seasons.

The productive back has earned All-Big 12 honors or honorable mentions every season of his career and is the all-time rushing yards leader for Kansas. 

Neal is a patient runner and follows his blockers. It's rare the first defender will take down the 5-foot-11 and 212-pound back and he fights for extra yards after contact. Neal has NFL-ready instincts and his college production makes him hard to overlook.  

The former Kansas running back likely fell due to his lack of big play burst and shiftiness, but he makes up for it with his powerful running style. 

First-year head coach Kellen Moore knows firsthand how important a good run game is and will try to implement the run-heavy offense he ran with the Philadelphia Eagles during their Super Bowl run. Veteran Alvin Kamara is at his best in a running back tandem and the team has failed to fill Mark Ingram's role in the "boom-and-zoom offense."

The Saints have a deep running back depth chart, but Neal may find playing time early due to uncertainties about Kendre Miller's future. The new kickoff rules the NFL implemented in 2024 may also earn the former Jayhawks running back some opportunities early on as a return man.