Hightower rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries and added 41 yards on five catches in Sunday's win over Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

Prior to November, Hightower hadn't played in a competitive football game since 2011. After the kind of production he put together to close the season, there may be plenty more games in his future. Hightower averaged 114 total yards and a touchdown during the season's final four games for a Saints backfield riddled by injuries. Hightower will be 30 by the start of the 2016 season, but his ability to pound the line of scrimmage and catch the ball out of the backfield should be good enough to earn him a supporting role next season.