Philadelphia Eagles: Elijah Holyfield’s case for a roster spot
By Hunter Doyle
It’s not unusual to see the Philadelphia Eagles use power backs.
The Eagles have benefited from using their power backs successfully in recent seasons. Let’s start with the fan-favorite from 2017, the veteran LeGarrette Blount. Similar to Holyfield, Blount played just one full season of division one football with the Oregon Ducks. In 13 games, he ran 137 times for 1,002 yards, an amazing 7.3 yards per tote, and he scored 17 touchdowns.
Holyfield didn’t have the same number of scores, but he wasn’t far off of the rushing yard’s total with his 1,018 yards on 159 totes. Blount had the better season, but it’s worth noting that Holyfield represented himself well.
Both are 200-plus pound undrafted backs who weren’t given much of a chance coming into the league. At the combine, Holyfield ran a 4.78 40-yard-dash, showcased a vertical jump of just 29.5 inches, and had a broad jump of nine feet and ten inches. Blount didn’t exactly have a great showing at the combine either.
He ran 4.59 forty-yard dash, turned in a vertical jump of 35 inches, and had a broad jump of nine feet and nine inches. Where they both succeeded in was bench press. Blount threw up 18 reps while Holyfield turned in 26 reps. That’s second all-time among running backs.
Sure, Blount ran a faster forty-yard dash with twenty more pounds on him and went on to be a three-time Super Bowl champion while Holyfield is ideally someone who will be used in short-yardage situations. Holyfield has some similarities to Blount, but will probably be used as a role player. Blount was one of the primary ball carriers in 2017 for the Eagles and for pretty much his entire career. Based on how they compare, it’s easy to see that Holyfield can contend for a roster spot.
Blount and Holyfield aren’t going to ‘wow’ you with their athleticism but it’s going to take an army to get them on the ground. Both move the chains. With the running back position being the game’s most punishing, it’s nice to have a committee of tailbacks like the Eagles do, especially if each player is used to their strengths. Philly has had plenty of power guys with Ajayi, Blount, and Howard, and Holyfield could be the next in line to fill a much-needed void.