Hightower 2-yd TD: Saints at Falcons 2017

New Orleans Saints running back Tim Hightower (34) scores on a 2-yard run in the first quarter during the game between the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Sunday, January 1, 2017.

(Michael DeMocker, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)

Depth at running back hasn't been a major issue for the New Orleans Saints for the majority of the past decade.

There always seems to be a running back biding his time to receive carries. Names like Pierre Thomas, Chris Ivory and Khiry Robinson come to mind.

The Saints' running game thrived when it was actually implemented in 2016. But there really isn't a glut of tailbacks when you scan through the Saints' current depth chart.

Mark Ingram, Daniel Lasco and Marcus Murphy are the only backs under contract with the Saints for the 2017 season. Tim Hightower and Travaris Cadet are on the verge of free agency. Among the five backs, Ingram and Hightower are the only players who've received significant carries the past couple of years.

Drew Brees and the Saints can sit tight for one more year, but then what? Drew Brees would have been a free agent had he not agreed to a one-year extension with the Saints at the beginning of the 2016 season

So the Saints will technically spend on a running back in free agency.

Bringing back Hightower may be the easiest decision for the Saints this offseason outside of already re-signing fullback John Kuhn. Hightower has served as the perfect No. 2 option for the Saints for the past couple of seasons. He has been effective on the field when the Saints call on him, and he's a leader within the locker room.

I know the Saints value Cadet as a versatile player. Is he overly explosive? No. Yet it wouldn't stun me if the Saints brought him back.

Now, should the Saints spend on someone outside their system?

I'd say yes, to a degree.

You would think the Saints learned their lesson in spending significant dollars on a running back outside the building in free agency. C.J. Spiller poisoned that strategy for as long as Sean Payton is the head coach.

The Saints thought Spiller would be the next Reggie Bush or Darren Sproles within the offense and on special teams two years ago. They signed him to a similar contract to Ingram in the 2015 offseason.

Needless to say, Ingram paid off and Spiller just got paid.

Ingram is coming off the best year of his career. He became the Saints' first 1,000-yard rusher since Deuce McAllister in 2006 with 1,043 yards on only 205 carries with six touchdowns. That's an average of 5.1 yards per carry.

Stellar numbers, to say the least.

Spiller rushed for a grand total of 112 yards in his underwhelming Saints career. He also never became a threat in the return game.

Ah, the return game.

The Saints have to consider signing a running back with return skills. They ranked 31st in the league in kick return yardage last season at only 16.5 yards per return. Touchbacks served as the team's best return game.

The Rams' Benny Cunningham is probably the best free-agent option as a returner. He averaged 27.9 yards per return in 2016 and served as their primary kick returner for the past four seasons.

Outside of a return specialist, I wouldn't anticipate the Saints opening up the wallet for a running back. Retaining Hightower and Cadet won't break the bank. Plus, the Saints feel good about Ingram and Lasco.

And you never know, the Saints might unearth another undrafted rookie gem at tailback this offseason.