Eagles RB: If DeMarco Murray is Out, Who’s In?
By Jesse Shuter
It is no secret that former leading rusher and current Philadelphia Eagles running back DeMarco Murray wants out of Philadelphia. Even with San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly gone, he is still unhappy and clearly want to return to Dallas where he had his best days. The Eagles have announced that they are willing and ready to listen on offers for the former pro bowler.
With a seven million dollar base salary and a thirteen million dollar cap hit, the Eagles would likely be on board with getting rid of him. The harder part would be finding a team to take his salary. It appears the only way to get such a deal done would be for Murray to help facilitate the trade by restructuring his contract or even taking a pay cut.
Hopefully the Eagles can get Murray, a notorious sideline sulker, off their team and start fresh at the position. There are many excellent options to choose from this year and next year through the draft. Which one my find their way to Philadelphia?
The obvious two at the top are Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliot and Alabama’s Derrick Henry. Up until his combine showing I was skeptical Henry could be a successful every down running back. However, he tested through the roof with similar build and skill set to Denver Broncos linebacker and Super Bowl MVP Von Miller.
Elliot has excellent talent and reminds scouts of Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell. However, I recall Elliot often vocalizing his complaints about touches and success to the media. He clearly was frustrated every time there was a loss and did not deal with that the best way.
He was also clearly upset about not touching the ball enough, remembering the success Ohio State had the previous year when they won the national championship. Does that sound familiar?
Three running backs in particular stick out to me as good fits for what the Eagles could want as a replacement for Murray and compliment to what they already have in running backs Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles.
1) Alex Collins, Arkansas
Collins is a powerful runner, he reminds me of New York Jets running back Chris Ivory. The only problem with Ivory last year was that as the year went on he got too tired to pound the rock the way he did early on.
As a young player Collins won’t have this problem and he’d be a nice power and goal line compliment for the Eagles. His day at the combine was disappointing, but his tape doesn’t lie and if anything the combine will make his fall in the draft making him more of a bargain.
2) Kenneth Dixon, Louisiana Tech
Dixon is a complete back and could be an every down stud for the Eagles. He has quick feet, good lateral movement and burst in addition to being able to catch the ball and run with power when needed. Not to mention Dixon put on a show at the Senior Bowl. Dixon remind me of Buffalo Bills running back Karlos Williams. Dixon is a little bit slower but more skilled in the other areas including his cutting ability.
3) C.J. Prosise, Notre Dame
Prosise showed up in Indianapolis. He definitely boosted his draft stock with his showing, not just in the forty yard dash but also the on-field drills. I liked Prosise a lot before the combine just from his game tape. He has great feet, he can catch the ball well and could be an excellent three down running back for the Eagles. I see him as a more complete version of Detriot Lions running back Theo Riddick. Riddick is known for his catching but Prosise can run with the ball as well. Typically thats good for a running back.
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