Devin Neal

At 22.5 years old, Neal has a compressed runway to establish immediate NFL role given typical RB decline curves. His 2025 season production shows 57 carries for 206 yards and 2 TDs (3.6 avg)—minimal volume that undermines tier 6 valuation.

Saints are heavily mocked to select Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love at No. 8 overall, which would completely bury Neal on the depth chart behind both Love and the aging Kamara. Multiple mock drafts and analysts view this as a near-consensus pick.

The Saints signed Travis Etienne Jr. to a 4-year, ~$50M deal in March 2026, and Alvin Kamara remains on the roster for his final contract year. Neal is effectively RB3-4 with no realistic path to significant touches in 2026 barring multiple injuries ahead of him.

Travis Etienne Jr. signed a 4-year/$52M deal with New Orleans this offseason, immediately entrenching as RB1 — a signing confirmed via search but not yet reflected in the structured roster data. Neal now projects as RB3 in a veteran-heavy room behind two backs with major organizational investment.

With Etienne (newly signed, $52M committed) and Kamara (still on roster, dynasty value) ahead of him, Neal cannot earn his way to lead-back volume through merit alone in 2026 — he needs at minimum one major veteran injury to see meaningful work.

The Saints signed Travis Etienne Jr. (4yr/$52M) to join Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, Ty Chandler and Audric Estime, leaving Neal currently ticketed for an RB3/depth role in a badly crowded room.

Alvin Kamara's departure creates a clear path to increased touches and goal-line work if Neal can win the job outright.

Kamara missed five straight games due to sprained MCL and will turn 30-plus in 2026, and with playoff contention eliminated, there's little incentive pushing the veteran back if not 100% healthy. Extended absences create immediate opportunity windows for Neal.

Saints hold the No. 8 overall pick and mock drafts link them to prospects like Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love, ranked as the No. 3 overall prospect per ESPN, which would give the Saints insurance behind Kamara. Monitor Saints' draft activity—if they invest early capital in RB, Neal's path narrows significantly.

Neal saw increased work over his last two games before injury, playing 45% of team rushing snaps to Kamara's 54%, suggesting coaching staff confidence was building before the hamstring setback.

Kamara turned 30 during the 2025 season and posted career-worst efficiency (3.6 YPC, 5.6 YPR) with just 471 rushing yards in 11 games. His decline creates a potential 2027 opportunity if the Saints move on after his contract expires in 2026.

Kamara is in the final year of his deal at age 31 with significant trade rumors swirling. If Kamara is moved before or after the 2026 season, Neal becomes the clear RB2 target behind Etienne entering 2027 — a meaningful roster-construction opportunity.