Keep an eye on Barika Kpeenu, a name that might just become a hot topic in the 2026 NFL Draft. Reports indicate that the New Orleans Saints have shown particular interest in the North Dakota State running back during this year's American Bowl. While it's standard for teams to meet with numerous prospects, the Saints seem to have made Kpeenu a focal point at the all-star game.
Kpeenu is certainly an intriguing prospect. Standing at 5-foot-10 and weighing 213 pounds, he showcased his talents by rushing for 1,003 yards and an impressive 20 touchdowns in his senior year.
His knack for big plays was evident with 33 rushes of 10 or more yards, translating to a striking rate of 17.4%. To put that in perspective, Alvin Kamara led the Saints with a 7.6% rate of similar runs, while Kendre Miller, Devin Neal, and Audric Estime posted 10.6%, 5.3%, and 4.3% respectively.
Although Kpeenu is projected to be a late-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, his stock could see a significant boost as teams delve deeper into this year's running back class during the NFL Scouting Combine. Despite not receiving an invite, if the draft class proves to be as thin as rumored, Kpeenu might just turn out to be the hidden gem teams are searching for.