RUNNING BACK
The obvious position that’s highlighted in red circle remains running back. Ever since the Birds ended 2018 28th in rushing, with 12 touchdowns, a shade over 1,500 yards and 5 fumbles, it’s been an area fans have cried out for. But what’s a little surprising is the Eagles brass doubling down on the bodies already in the room.
“We acquired three running backs after the 2017 NFL Draft that helped up win the 2018 Super Bowl.” That’s been the line regurgitated by Roseman and Pederson during the NFL owners meetings and they’re not exactly wrong.
There’s a long time until the start of the season and even though the Birds may have been quiet in free agency, to a point where even Tevin Coleman, a perfect fit on paper, slipped through the cracks, then maybe fans should be comfortable in trusting in what Howie Roseman has planned.
Bizarrely, every season of the Doug Pederson era has kind of followed the same narrative. To begin with, the run-game is virtually nonexistent before one blistering breakout balances the offense. Just as things begin to really pick up, injuries destroy any hopes of sustenance and depth is sorely tested. Whether it’s Ryan Mathews or Jay Ajayi, it’s not as if the Eagles have lacked productive backs, it’s been keeping them on the field that’s the problem.
But the point remains, the Eagles are yet to pay a back any kind of substantial money in this era.
Jay Ajayi? He made $325K in 2017 and $1M one year later.
Wendell Smallwood is set to make $700K in 2019.
Corey Clement is set to make $648K in 2019.
Josh Adams is set to make $570K in 2019.
So maybe, just maybe, the Eagles feel confident that the injury bug has finally relieved its teeth. And as mentioned in my breakdown below, there are a flurry of schematic fits for the Eagles who will be available deep into day three of the NFL Draft.
It’s clearly a need based off of what we saw last season, but if we contextualize it just a little, it’s hard to pound the table for the only running back with a round 1 grade, given how many are available later on.
