Philadelphia Eagles: Elijah Holyfield’s case for a roster spot
By Hunter Doyle
Will Elijah Holyfield make the Philadelphia Eagles roster?
While Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, and Corey Clement should be a solid trio if healthy, the Philadelphia Eagles still need a power back for short-yardage situations. Corey Clement might be able to fill the void but he’s not ideal for that role. Michael Warren II could get the job done, but he’s also a rookie. It’s difficult enough to transition into an NFL offense out of college, but now, the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented the rookies from getting hands-on practice with their respective offenses.
Adrian Killins Jr. is certainly an intriguing option. He might get a shot at some point with his game-breaking speed. Still, if the Eagles added him to the 53-man roster, they would be left without a bonafide power back. That brings us to Elijah Holyfield, the son of boxer Evander Holyfield.
He should be the front runner for that final roster spot. He was signed to the practice squad late last season, so he has the advantage of being more familiar with the playbook than Warren and Killins. Not to mention, he had the benefit of being on an NFL sideline for an entire season. Even though he was on the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad, he was still in the building continuing to improve his craft. Plus, he was able to learn under All-Pro running back Christian McCaffery.
The Birds have used power backs like Holyfield effectively in recent history. Some of the big names include LeGarrette Blount, Jay Ajayi, and Jordan Howard all of whom made key contributions for Philly at some point. After having one year to watch NFL action on the sidelines and get a grasp of the play speed, year two might be Holyfield’s time to shine. Here’s why.