Duck, Duck, Goose For Philadelphia Eagles Running Backs
By Matt Giraldi
With all due respect to Ryan Mathews, Darren Sproles, and Kenjon Barner, I simply cannot be satisfied with this platoon at running back. The Eagles running backs are a couple injuries away from thinking Toby Gerhart is a solid option. While you can never predict nor project an injury, age and injury history are two factors working against the top of the depth chart right now.
I’ve heard and listened to all the criticism for drafting a running back in the first round. You can only drill the same message into someone’s head so much. Each player in the NFL is in a unique situation unrelated to prior successes or failures.
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Last season in Kansas City, Doug Pederson had the services of bigger running backs. Knile Davis and Spencer Ware were well over 220 pounds. Charcandrick West was similar in physical stature to Barner. Of course, despite his limited playing time, Jamaal Charles is the smallest of the group at 5’11” and 199 pounds. Charles and Davis were drafted in the third round. Ware was selected in the sixth round. And West was undrafted. Feel free to immediately cling to the notion that no running back is worth a first round pick.
What the Chiefs running backs did well was not solely relegated to the passing game, despite a perception that most of their running backs were actively involved in the passing game. In fact, Charles led the Chiefs last year with 21 receptions. So perhaps Ryan Mathews’ struggles in the passing game might not influence playing time in Doug Pederson and offensive coordinator Frank Reich‘s system.
Regardless whether the Eagles running backs are all still on the roster in July, the team must address the position in the draft. Whether it comes in the form of a complete back such as Ezekiel Elliott, or an explosive third-down back such as C.J. Prosise from Notre Dame, or the gritty Kenneth Dixon from Louisiana Tech, the Eagles need young blood in the backfield. Both Prosise and Dixon are expected to be drafted between the second and fourth rounds. I will continue to beat the drum for Elliott, but one thing is for certain: The Eagles running backs currently on the roster simply are not good enough for long-term success.