Jonathan Williams, Running Back

The third and fourth running back options are suspended in the air for New Orleans currently. Starting back Mark Ingram II will miss the first four games of the season due to his NFL performance drug abuse policy suspension. That leaves Alvin Kamara alone up front, with not much help even after Ingram returns. With sixth round selection Boston Scott and free agent acquisitions Shane Vareen and Terrance West, who would have thought a former Denver Bronco cut would be competing for the spot alongside those guys?

Enter Jonathan Williams, a third-year running back out of Arkansas doing just that. Williams has been with the team for over nine months now, being claimed off waivers after the Broncos released him from their practice squad. He has only one season of playing time under his belt: his rookie season with the Buffalo Bills, which he racked up 94 rushing yards and one touchdown in 11 games. Coming out of high school, Williams was compared to the likes of Michael Turner, as he stands at 6’0” and weighs 220 pounds. 

Size is what the Saints need in that backfield, and it showed last Thursday. Williams gained 26 rushing yards on 6.5 yards per attempt, and the game-winning touchdown rush from two yards out. Against a semi-stacked defense like Arizona’s, Williams will be tested. He will likely receive more playing time as well, and he has a fantastic chance to show everyone why that extra RB spot should be his. 

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