Looking ahead to 2018: Analyzing the Eagles Running Back situation
It’s never too late to look toward the future and with the running back position, there will be some big decisions to be made.
Saying that the Philadelphia Eagles have options at the running back position is a serious understatement. Currently, the team has five running backs on the 53 man roster that have all contributed in some way. However, it is very doubtful that all five will be on the team in 2018. The front office is going to have its work cut out for it when deciding who will be a part of the team moving forward.
The Eagles are lucky in the sense that all of their running backs currently have a role on this team. Each back has contributed in one way or another this year and has played well in those situations. LeGarrette Blount and Jay Ajayi are their lead backs, with Corey Clement, Wendell Smallwood, and Kenjon Barner coming in as a change of pace. Combine that with Darren Sproles and Donnel Pumphrey on Injured Reserve and you have a crowded running back room. Although each player has made contributions, there have been a few that have distinguished themselves so far.
Philadelphia Eagles
Blount brings a physical style to the run game that fans love. Also, he has shown maturity in supporting the other backs getting opportunities. Ajayi has shown the explosion that made the Eagles want to trade a fourth-round pick to acquire him. Clement has been a very reliable back in both the run game and passing game and Smallwood and Barner have shown value on special teams.
Looking to the future
Although Blount has been a physical presence, he is not the back of the future. He has been invaluable to have from a leadership perspective, but Ajayi is the guy. Expect Blount to become a free agent next year and sign with another contender (cough, cough, New England Patriots). The Eagles would love to have him back, but unless he takes a below market value contract, it probably won’t happen.
As mentioned, Ajayi is the future of the running back position. He is only 24-years-old and already has a Pro Bowl nod under his belt. He is a proven running back that should pair well with Carson Wentz for years to come. Another young back who has really distinguished himself is Clement. He came in as an undrafted free agent and worked his tail off to be a part of the team. The fact that he is getting opportunities with the amount of talent that is already on the roster shows that the Eagles really value him.
On the flip side of that, the running back who has not gotten a lot of opportunities is Wendell Smallwood. He was a little dinged up in the beginning of the year, but now he has just been phased out. Kenjon Barner has taken over his special teams role and he is buried by the other three running backs. Add in the fact that Sproles and Pumphrey might come back and things don’t look promising.
ITI’s 2018 prediction:
So far, fans have been able to see almost all of the running backs on the roster first-hand. Based off of that, here is what the 2018 Eagles backfield could look like:
Jay Ajayi, Darren Sproles, Corey Clement, Kenjon Barner
If Sproles does come back for another year, then his role is cemented as the number two back. Blount will sign elsewhere in free agency and the Eagles will probably cut ties with Smallwood. Donnel Pumphrey is the X-factor in this equation but what he did in training camp didn’t “wow” people. The bottom line is that the Eagles have a good mix of young talent and veteran leadership which should give fans confidence as the team moves forward.