Rumors in the football world suggest that high-priced New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara could be available before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.
Which teams are interested in Alvin Kamara?
Kamara has struggled with injuries in recent seasons and is signed to a five-year, $75 million contract. With that said, we’re talking about one of the game’s best dual-threat backs. There will be some interest. Below are three plausible trade scenarios for Mr. Kamara.
The Los Angeles Rams make yet another win-now move
In his first five seasons, he averaged 1,500 total yards and 13 touchdowns. With the Rams ranked 31st in rushing and struggling behind Cooper Kupp at wide receiver, we fully expect the team to make a deal before the deadline on Tuesday. If the price is right, why not Kamara?
Alvin Kamara stats (2017-22): 4,589 rushing yards, 397 receptions, 3,454 receiving yards, 8,043 total yards, 67 TD
Les Snead, general manager of the Los Angeles Rams, treats draft picks like candy corn on Halloween. The additions of Matthew Stafford, Jalen Ramsey, and Von Miller, among others, are prime examples. Despite not having a lot of draft capital, Los Angeles finished second in the McCaffrey sweepstakes. Could it be a test for Kamara? Sure.
The Buffalo Bills are stunned by the Alvin Kamara trade
- Bills get: Alvin Kamara
- Saints get: James Cook, 2023 3rd-round pick, 2024 3rd-round pick
Buffalo was another team interested in McCaffrey before he left for Northern California. The issue for general manager Brandon Beane and company was not money. Rather, the Bills did not want to pay what San Francisco ultimately gave up to the Carolina Panthers (four non-first-round picks). It appears unlikely that New Orleans would demand such a high price for Kamara.
In this scenario, New Orleans adds a young running back in Cook, who could eventually replace Kamara. It also acquires two valuable mid-round picks after spending all of its future capital in a draft day trade with the Eagles last April.
For the Bills, they get a dual threat out of the backfield who, if healthy, could put this team over the top.
What we do know is that the Bills’ offense needs to be more balanced. This season, their leading rusher is quarterback Josh Allen. Devin Singletary has been erratic. James Cook, a rookie second-round pick, has been largely ineffective. Zack Moss has yet to live up to the hype.
The Kansas City Chiefs have added a five-time Pro Bowler to their roster
- Alvin Kamara contract: $1.035 million base in 2022; $9.4 million in 2023
Despite the fact that Kamara’s contract appears to be a disaster on the surface, it isn’t. If he was picked up after Week 8, any acquiring team would be on the hook for only $550,000 this season. As a result, the Chiefs gain a significant upgrade over Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Isiah Pacheco. It all comes down to market value and how much compensation Kamara would require.
The Chiefs have already made a big trade ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, acquiring wide receiver Kadarius Toney from the New York Giants for two draft picks in 2019. The question now is whether general manager Brett Veach will remain active in his efforts to get Kansas City into the Super Bowl conversation.
