Who is Devin Neal
Devin Neal is a running back for the New Orleans Saints, selected in the sixth round (184th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Neal starred in college at the Kansas Jayhawks (2021–2024), finishing as the school’s all-time leading rusher in both yardage and touchdowns.
Combine & Pre-Draft Metrics
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At the 2025 NFL Combine, Neal clocked a 4.58-second 40-yard dash and a 1.59 10-yard split.
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He posted a 37.5″ vertical jump and a 10′4″ broad jump — showing impressive explosiveness and lower-body power despite not being a burner in straight-line speed.
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Analysts described the result as a “mixed bag”: sub-par speed but strong explosiveness and good vision, patience, and lateral agility on film.
In short: Neal may not stretch defenses deep, but his athletic testing combined with college tape hinted at a back who can hit the hole, make defenders miss, and contribute reliably as a runner and potentially as a receiver.
College Highlights & Skill Set
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Over his college career, Neal rushed for 4,343 yards and 49 touchdowns, and added 77 receptions for 711 yards.
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He had two consecutive 1,200+ yard rushing seasons (2023, 2024), with 16 rushing TDs each — showcasing consistency and big-play ability.
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On film, Neal’s strengths lie in: patience at the line, vision to read blocks, and elusiveness to generate yardage after contact — a style more about agility than brute force or home-run speed.
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He also brings receiving ability out of the backfield: 77 career catches suggest the potential for a two-way role as a pass-catching back if given the opportunity.
In short: Neal is a well-rounded, three-down kind of back — not a pure speed-threat, but reliable, versatile, and productive in multiple facets.
Week 13: FAAB & Fantasy Outlook
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With veteran starter Alvin Kamara nursing a knee injury and fellow back Kendre Miller already on IR, Neal stepped into a more prominent role recently. In Week 12, he tallied 61 total yards from 14 touches (7 carries, 5 receptions) in a loss vs. the Falcons.
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Given his expanded involvement and the injury concerns ahead, many fantasy analysts and waiver-wire guides are calling him a strong FAAB/waiver target for Week 13.
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Projections suggest a modest fantasy upside: with a potential increase in touches (especially if Kamara sits), Neal offers value as a speculative flex — his receiving floor adds a nice cushion in PPR formats.
What to expect this week
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If Kamara remains sidelined, Neal could see a multi-touchdown workload, especially if the Saints lean on check-downs and short passes given potential pass-rush pressure.
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He’s not yet a locked-in RB1 — but as a low-owned back with upside and a favorable situation, he’s worth an add in most 12-team or deeper leagues.
Long-Term & Dynasty Value
Despite being a 6th-rounder, Neal carries upside thanks to:
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A blend of size, production, and receiving chops that make him more than just a one-dimensional runner.
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Durability through college (no major injury history) and a track record of performance over four seasons — valuable in dynasty or keeper formats.
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The possibility — if he can carve out a more stable role — to become a multi-down back with receiving value, especially in modern pass-heavy NFL offenses.
Many analysts consider him a solid late-round stash in rookie drafts or a low-cost add for long-term upside.
Conclusion
Devin Neal may not have the top-end speed that jumps off the combine charts — but his explosiveness, vision, reliability, and all-around productivity make him a sleeper worth watching. With injuries to higher-profile backs on the Saints roster, Week 13 represents a real breakout opportunity. For fantasy managers: he’s a high-upside add on waivers this week, especially in PPR or deeper leagues — and a candidate for long-term value if he can stick and grow into a bigger role.
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