Full Throttle: Audric Estime Primed for Breakout Second Year in the NFL”

When Audric Estime declared for the NFL Draft out of Notre Dame, scouts praised his bruising running style, strong legs, and unrelenting physicality between the tackles. The power back from Nyack, New York, was touted as a potential sleeper pick—someone who could carve out a role early due to his tenacity and vision. Now, entering his second season, Estime is turning heads at OTAs, and NFL insiders are buzzing: Year 2 might just be his breakout campaign.

A Promising Rookie Year

Estime’s rookie season wasn’t filled with flashy highlight reels or jaw-dropping stat lines, but for those watching closely, his development was clear. Selected in the mid-rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, Estime entered a crowded backfield, where carries were scarce and rookies had to earn every snap.

Still, Estime managed to make his presence felt. Over the course of the season, he tallied:

94 carries
408 rushing yards
3 touchdowns
4.3 yards per carry average

Those numbers may not jump off the page, but consider this: over the final six weeks of the season, Estime averaged 5.1 yards per carry and began stealing meaningful snaps in high-leverage situations, including short-yardage and red-zone opportunities. He finished the year as the team’s most effective goal-line back and received increasing praise from the coaching staff for his ball security and maturity.

Offseason Growth: The Transformation Begins

This offseason has been transformative for Estime—not just physically, but mentally.

“I came into Year 1 just trying to survive,” Estime told reporters during voluntary workouts in March. “Now? I’m trying to dominate.”

Estime has dropped five pounds to increase his burst while maintaining the muscular 5’11”, 225-pound frame that made him so effective at Notre Dame. His trainers emphasized lateral quickness and explosion, and early reports suggest he’s noticeably faster in short-yardage cuts and has improved his second-level acceleration.

But perhaps more importantly, Estime has spent countless hours in the film room. He’s worked closely with running backs coaches and veteran teammates to improve his pass protection reads and route running out of the backfield.

“He’s locked in,” said one offensive assistant. “He wants to be great—not just good. You can feel it in how he approaches everything.”

A Scheme Built for His Style

Estime’s NFL team (let’s say the New Orleans Saints for the sake of the article) saw flashes of what they envisioned when they drafted him. While Alvin Kamara remains a key component of the offense, the team made it clear in end-of-year pressers that Estime will take on a much bigger role in 2025.

Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is known for emphasizing outside-zone and play-action systems, similar to what Estime thrived in at Notre Dame. With guards who can pull and a quarterback in Derek Carr who thrives with a strong run game, Estime becomes an ideal complementary weapon.

“Estime fits what we want to do—attack defenses with force, then finesse them in the second level,” Kubiak said. “We’re going to give him opportunities.”

Those opportunities could be plentiful. Kamara, now approaching age 30, has seen his usage scaled back slightly, especially in high-contact situations. That opens the door for Estime to become the Saints’ thunder to Kamara’s lightning—a 1-2 punch that can keep defenses guessing.

Notre Dame Toughness Translates

One of Estime’s greatest strengths coming out of college was his ability to break tackles and churn out extra yards. In his junior season at Notre Dame, he led the FBS in yards after contact per rush (4.57), demonstrating a rare ability to keep moving through arm tackles and bounce off hits like a pinball.

That physicality translated to the NFL. Despite limited snaps, Estime ranked 7th among rookies in broken tackles per carry and consistently pushed piles forward, extending drives.

But more than the physicality, Estime brings the mental discipline and leadership pedigree that Notre Dame instills in all its players.

“From the minute he walked into the building, he acted like a pro,” said head coach Dennis Allen. “He’s coachable, resilient, and fearless. That’s hard to teach.”

Estime’s teammates have taken notice as well.

“Dude runs angry,” said veteran lineman Ryan Ramczyk. “He makes us want to block harder because we know he’s going to fight for every yard.”

Second-Year Jump: Why It’s Real

History tells us that many running backs take a big step forward in their second season. With one year of experience, the speed of the game slows down, the body adjusts to the toll of a 17-game schedule, and the mental side of the game begins to click.

For Estime, all those elements seem to be aligning.

Here’s what’s different in Year 2:

More touches: With Kamara’s usage being managed, Estime is expected to receive 12–15 touches per game, up from 5–7 in his rookie year.
Third-down potential: Coaches have praised his improvement as a receiver. Don’t be surprised if Estime becomes a reliable check-down target.
Goal-line dominance: He’s already been penciled in as the primary back for inside-the-5 situations.
Confidence: Estime looks like a player who knows he belongs.

If Estime can stay healthy, he has the tools to eclipse 1,000 all-purpose yards in 2025—and maybe even double-digit touchdowns.

Player Comparisons and Projections

Estime has drawn some stylistic comparisons to former NFL bruisers like Marion Barber III, Mike Tolbert, and even Nick Chubb in terms of leg drive and contact balance. While he may not have Chubb’s long speed, his low center of gravity and fearless running style are reminiscent of a young Chubb in Cleveland.

Stat projections from NFL analysts vary, but the consensus is optimistic. One analyst from NFL Network projected the following line for Estime in 2025:

225 carries
965 rushing yards
9 rushing TDs
26 receptions
204 receiving yards
2 receiving TDs

That would represent a significant leap and solidify him as a cornerstone in the Saints’ offense going forward.

Fantasy Football Darling in the Making?

Estime is already climbing fantasy football draft boards. Savvy owners are eyeing him as a mid-to-late-round sleeper with high upside, especially in touchdown-heavy formats.

Analyst Matthew Berry called him a “classic breakout candidate,” noting that he’s “primed to lead all second-year backs in red-zone touches if the Saints offense moves the ball like they’re capable of.”

Fantasy impact aside, Estime’s real value lies in what he brings to a locker room: a calming presence, relentless work ethic, and a growing voice among young offensive players.

A Message from Estime: “I’m Just Getting Started”

There’s an unmistakable fire in Estime’s voice when he talks about the future.

“I want to be the guy people count on when it’s 4th and 1, when it’s 3rd and goal, when it’s late in the fourth quarter,” he said. “That’s who I’ve always been, and I think I’ve just scratched the surface.”

He still studies old game tape from his Notre Dame days, not for nostalgia, but as a reminder of where he came from. Every practice rep is intense. Every film session is purposeful. Estime knows the opportunity is in front of him—and he’s not letting it slip.

Excited to see Audric Estime take a step forward in Year 2….