Dec. 15--Information for this report was obtained from NFL scouts.
MARK INGRAM, SAINTS RB
Mark Ingram, 5-foot-9, 215 pounds, is in his fourth season and leads the Saints with 810 yards rushing (4.5 per carry, six touchdowns), the most yards by a New Orleans running back since Deuce McAllister had 1,057 in 2006. It's a long-awaited payoff for the Saints, who traded up to select Ingram 28th overall in 2011.
Injuries to Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson have provided more opportunities for Ingram, who broke out with a career game in Week 8, rushing for 172 yards in an upset of the Packers. Ingram has missed time himself with a hand injury.
"He's having a breakout season in a contract year and that is not really surprising," one scout said. "He's a good zone running back and he is pretty patient getting to the hole and has a pretty nice burst getting to the second level. I'm not going to call him an elite running back, but he has earned himself some money this year after he looked like a bust.
"He's not as big of a weapon in the passing game as Thomas, especially in the screen game, but he can catch the ball. What I really like about Ingram is he finishes his runs. He drops his pad level and runs with power. He's got some shake to him. I'm not going to compare him to Le'Veon Bell, but he is a decent all-around back. He's a good fit for their offense and what Sean Payton wants to do with that zone running game. He could have a big game against that Bears defense."
-- Brad Biggs
