With the Eagles‘ first preseason game around the corner, it may be time for the birds to pull a Howie-special and trade for a low-impact player. There has been some speculation about whether or not the Eagles could do with a downhill runner to complement Miles Sanders and Kenny Gainwell, and luckily for Roseman, the market is filled with cheap and cheerful candidates should they want to go down that path.
Here are some running backs that could fit that mold:
Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions
Jamaal Williams is an intriguing option because he just signed with the Lions last season. Still, though, we all witnessed what he was able to do for Aaron Jones in Green Bay as the thunder to their lightning. Williams is averaging 4.0 yards per carry throughout his career so far and is young enough to still be effective for this group. A committee of Sanders, Gainwell, and Williams would allow the Eagles to wear down their opponents.
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns
This has been the obvious answer for many of the mainstream media outlets. Why wouldn’t the Eagles trade Andre Dillard for Kareem Hunt? Well, first off, I believe he could be had for way cheaper and why would you give up a backup to one of the most important positions on football for a rental?
Kareem Hunt is in search of a new contract and what better place to show off his talents than with a team that needs his services? Adding Hunt to the mix would make this unit an efficient one but the questions outside of football could make this pairing unlikely.
Rashaad Penny, Seattle Seahawks
Now I know the Eagles could’ve signed him during the offseason but I’m not buying the fact that Penny had “better financial offers” than the one the Seahawks gave him. Penny had a breakout season last year as he posted 749 rushing yards while averaging 6.3 yards per carry.
His pairing with the Seahawks has always been a weird one to me as the two have never really meshed until last year. Then again, Penny has yet to play more than 14 games in a season. With that being said, that’s why it would make sense for the Eagles to make a move on him.
Limiting his touches and having him buy into the committee could boost the team’s chances of truly contending.
Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens
Justice Hill is still very young in football years. He’s only played two seasons with the Ravens but is a free agent after this season. At 5-10, 200lbs, Hill isn’t a big back like the others on the list before him but he’s a good change of pace back that could spell Gainwell and Sanders.
In 28 games in the league so far, Hill has 285 rushing yards while averaging 4.1 yards per carry. The Eagles could take advantage of the fresh legs as Hill has now fully recovered from the torn Achilles’ tendon. The advantage of going after Hill is that the Eagles could pay nothing to acquire him as he’s fighting for a roster spot in Baltimore.
Sony Michel, Miami Dolphins
This could be a wise move to make as Michel has averaged 4.1 yards per carry throughout his career. Plus the Dolphins have more running backs than they have fans. Bringing in a veteran like Michel could help the growth of Sanders and Gainwell while also adding a necessary wrinkle to the run game.
Michel is coming off of a season where rushed the ball over 200 times for 845 yards and 4 touchdowns. The former New England Patriot could add to the winning culture that’s being developed in Philly.
Oh, and we all remember his brother being a fan favorite a couple of summers ago…and this is the City of Brotherly love after all.
Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire
