The Philadelphia Eagles have every right to feel confident about the running back position heading into the 2020 offseason.
Their second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Miles Sanders, looked the part of a star in the making after finishing his rookie campaign with 1,327 yards from scrimmage and six total touchdowns. Boston Scott also filled in nicely to replace Darren Sproles’ role in the offense.
Philadelphia also acquired ex-Chicago Bears running back, Jordan Howard, before drafting Sanders during the 2019 offseason. The former pro bowl running back shined to start the 2019 season off averaging 4.4 yards per rushing attempt but saw his season derailed by an injury that found him on the inactive list for six games.
It appears that Howard will hit free agency come March 18th, but Philadelphia might not be ready to cut ties with their bruising running back.
“I would not count on Miles Sanders becoming a stand-alone fantasy star this year,” Matthew Berry reported to ESPN. “Philly still wants an RBBC this season, and one of its coaches noted the Eagles really missed Jordan Howard down the stretch last season.”
The Eagles are now making it even known to the media how they feel about Howard. Berry’s report comes straight from the combine, where Eagles coaches, running backs coach, Duce Staley, were specifically in attendance. Howard’s name already surfacing, along with how the team feels the running back could’ve provided an impact on the past season, could indicate the 25-year-old running back is apart of the plans.
Philadelphia has ample enough cap space to bring Howard back. They may not be willing to enter a bidding war for the running back’s services given Sanders, Scott, and Corey Clement (returning from injury), on the roster, but Howard’s market value may budget into the team’s plans.
Coming off a down season, Howard could command a one-year, prove-it, type of contract, which is Howie Roseman’s specialty.
Prior to the injury, Howard helped complete what felt like the perfect ‘Thunder and Lightning’ combination. A hat-trick of touchdowns against the Packers only further heightened the fans’ love for the human bowling-ball, who brought a decisive and assertive style of downhill running to the table. It allowed Sanders to grow into the back he is today and he’s still young enough to maintain a high upside in spite of that season-ending ‘stinger’.
The Eagles are committed to their rushing attack, and Howard returning could potentially be their next investment.
