Running back might not be the New Orleans Saints' most glaring need. But it sounds as though there is a good chance they might wind up with one in the middle rounds of the draft.

Saints coach Sean Payton has complimented the depth of this year’s running-back class several times in recent interviews -- never more strongly than he did in Wednesday’s media session at the NFL meetings.

“I think it’s an outstanding running back class,” said Payton, who mentioned the position along with offensive line and cornerback when asked to name some of the positions on New Orleans’ draft wish list. “So I think in the early rounds, in the middle rounds, I think there’s gonna be some runners playing in our league next year drafted in the third and fourth round. ...

“Just having been to a number of these [pre-draft] workouts, I think you’re gonna see some runners in this year’s draft play and have real good careers, and they may not have been taken in the first round.”

Payton didn’t mention any prospects by name, though he did later tell the New Orleans Advocate that the Saints plan to have Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon in for a visit to complete their evaluation of him.

Mixon was not invited to the NFL scouting combine because of a 2014 incident in which he punched a woman at a bar. At least one team, the New England Patriots, has taken Mixon off its board.

“We haven't had the discussion to say, ‘Here's our grade.' That all takes place next week,” Payton told the Advocate. “We'll bring him in and try to get a feel for what this guy's like, our thoughts on it, and then make the decision."

The Saints were also reportedly planning to visit Tennessee running back Alvin Kamara, according to WVUE-TV Fox 8 in New Orleans, among other possible early-round prospects. And Payton was at Ohio State's pro day, which included runner/receiver Curtis Samuel.

Payton might also attend Wednesday's pro day at LSU, just up the road in Baton Rouge, where he could get a closer look at top running-back prospect Leonard Fournette.

It would be a bit surprising if the Saints consider a running back with the No. 11 pick in the draft, considering they made it clear with the recent trade of receiver Brandin Cooks that they feel they can sacrifice offensive skill players and need resources to help fix their defense.

However, taking a running back is not out of the question. A dynamic runner/receiver such as Florida State’s Dalvin Cook or Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey could particularly tempt the Saints in Round 1. They haven’t had a player like Reggie Bush/Darren Sproles in their offense for the past few seasons -- though they tried with C.J. Spiller, which didn’t pan out.

New Orleans could also consider a more traditional running back as a successor to Mark Ingram. The Saints like Ingram, who is still just 27, but is heading into his seventh NFL season. And they have not yet re-signed his primary backup, Tim Hightower, which remains a possibility.