Who is Travaris Cadet?

Jaron Foster

cadet

After featuring Denver running back Juwan Thompson last week, this week’s article stays in the backfield of another high-powered offense as we feature Travaris Cadet of the Saints. An increase in use as a receiver out of the backfield, an aging Pierre Thomas and a potentially departing Mark Ingram all prompted requests for a look at Cadet.

The Miami, Florida native with experience as a quarterback, running back, wide receiver and kick returner chose to attend the University of Toledo coming out of high school in 2007. It was an ill-fated decision given penalties levied against the school in a point-shaving scandal as well as issues between Cadet and the school when he wasn’t granted a release from the program. He ultimately transferred to Pearl River Community College in Mississippi, where in 2008 he caught two passes for 21 yards before an ankle injury ended his season prematurely.

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Despite the obstacles faced in his first two stops, Cadet received interest from schools when he searched for a higher-profile football program. He chose Appalachian State University (ASU) over Kansas State and his collegiate football career finally took a turn in the right direction. Entering the new program as the third quarterback on the depth chart, following an impressive fill-in performance in the first game of the season Cadet slid into the primary backup role behind fellow dual-threat Armanti Edwards. Also serving as the primary punt returner, Cadet saw action in the backfield and lined up out wide as he finished his first season with ASU with over 700 (truly) all-purpose yards.

Cadet finally shifted to running back as his primary position in 2010, rushing for 671 yards and six touchdowns on 115 attempts (and a solid 5.8 yards-per-carry). He also played some in the slot and special teams, more than doubling his all-purpose yards (to nearly 1,700) from the previous season, ranking second in the conference and 29th in the country in the category. He showed an ability to be a big-play threat all over the field.

This momentum carried over into his third season with ASU as he again totaled 1,700 all-purpose yards, though this time with a larger percentage on the offensive side of the ball. He surpassed 150 carries out of the backfield and nearly doubled his receptions, emerging as the featured player in the offense.

At his Pro Day, Cadet measured in just shy of six feet tall and 205 pounds. He recorded a 10’0” broad jump, which would have tied for third at the NFL Combine with three other running backs including Doug Martin, a 6.97-second 3-cone drill that would have matched Dan Herron for sixth, and a 4.21-second 20-yard shuttle that would have equaled Chris Polk’s time.

As a 23-year old rookie following his unorthodox college career, Cadet was not selected in the 2012 NFL Draft and ultimately signed with the Saints as a free agent. The Saints envisioned utilizing his well-documented versatility, lined up all over the field on the offense and as a kickoff returner. Though his 4.64 40-yard dash was not the desired result on his Pro Day, Cadet plays faster on the field and can separate from linebackers.

In limited opportunity, Cadet has developed a niche with the Saints as a strong receiver out of the backfield, a role he played well starting in week four as he caught six passes for 59 yards. He proceeded to catch 29 passes in the next ten weeks as he filled in for Ingram, Thomas and Khiry Robinson as each dealt with injuries during the season. In total, Cadet was only handed the ball ten times (and only turned those carries into 32 yards) while he caught 38 passes for 296 yards, good for 7.8 yards per reception.

Though the carries represented a tenfold increase over the previous two years combined, it is clear that despite his size, the Saints do not view him as an option for a between-the-tackles (or every-down) running back. Such an option would have been helpful with Ingram and Robinson sidelined. Additionally, holding onto the ball was an issue for Cadet at ASU and continued with two lost fumbles on only 48 offensive touches in 2014.

Aside from Ingram (an unrestricted free agent), the rest of the running back depth chart (other than Cadet) is currently signed through at least 2015. Even then, Ingram and the Saints have recently been vocal about a mutual interest in a return. Clearly, this muddies the backfield situation even further for the restricted free agent. Thomas, his primary competitor as a third-down back, signed a two-year extension through 2016. Robinson, Edwin Baker, Austin Johnson (who received carries though is primarily a fullback) and newly signed Tim Hightower are all in the fold for 2015. This may put Cadet on the roster bubble as he is currently without either a contract or clear path to playing time.

Cadet’s abilities in the return game improve his chances for being retained by New Orleans and making the 53-man roster next year, though Jalen Saunders (a wide receiver selected by the Jets in the fourth round of the 2014 draft) began handling some kickoff return duties by the end of the season. Consequently, Cadet is far from guaranteed a job.

Whether Ingram returns will not be as big a factor for Cadet’s fantasy value as whether Thomas does. Though unlikely given the recent extension, Thomas’ injuries and age have led some to question whether he will be cut in favor of the younger Cadet. I don’t anticipate this happening, leaving Cadet as the fourth option should everyone else stay healthy.

There is also just as good a chance Cadet will be the odd man out as anybody. Should that be the case, expect him to catch on with another team and hope there is a clearer path to playing time. If so, he could find fantasy value as a flex option on passing downs.

For now, with a deep rookie running back class that will flood the position in the NFL, Cadet is best left on waiver wires in leagues that roster 300 players or fewer.

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jaron foster
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