Jordan Howard will prove to be very effective for the Eagles
By Conor Myles
An overview of the addition:
Howard’s stats have decreased year-by-year, but the emergence of 2017 fourth-round pick, Tarik Cohen, may prove to be the driving factor in his drop in play this past season when Howard rushed for 935 yards and averaged 3.7 yards-per-carry. Now with the knowledge of Nagy’s ideal running back, it tells the story of why the running back fell out of favor in Chicago.
The unfortunate event of losing carries for Howard was limiting his ability to cause missed tackles. After having a stellar 40 missed tackles to his name after his rookie season, Howard only forced 23 missed tackles in 2018 due to the decline in his snaps.
The Eagles are bound to add a running back during the 2019 NFL Draft. The addition of Howard allows Philadelphia to sit and be patient while having a running back of their liking either fall into their laps or lessen the blow of missing on their guy altogether. Pederson’s committee approach deserves to live on after bringing the franchise their first Super Bowl title. Once again, after being the third-best rushing team a couple of years ago, it’s a proven winning method that works for the head coach.
Howard has an opportunity in Philadelphia to become the team’s lead back of the committee, and a trusted ball carrier for Pederson and company. After converting on ten first downs on 16 third-and-fourth-and-short attempts in Chicago, the running back will be heavily relied upon to replicate that same success that no rusher was able to for the Eagles in 2018.
Here’s what to gather about Jordan Howard joining the Eagles’ backfield:
- Comes with minimal risk
- Howard fits Pederson’s model of running backs
- Fits Eagles’ offense despite Nagy and Pederson’s ties; thrives on inside-zone runs
- Presents an opportunity to become Philadelphia’s lead back of the committee approach
The Eagles are prepared to host a much different backfield entering the 2019 season with Howard headlining the group. As the team makes to return to the Super Bowl, the rushing attack is bound to improve with the arrival of the former Pro Bowl running back.