Eagles on the current roster with boom-or-bust potential
By Ryan Loftus
The need for a breakout star isn’t one that’s limited to the talent the Eagles have on the defensive side of the ball.
The Eagles made some massive strides on offense last season. Trading for A.J. Brown certainly didn’t hurt them. Neither did phenomenal seasons by the offensive line, Jalen Hurts and the rushing attack, and DeVonta Smith among others. This year, the Eagles are shifting from a backfield led by Miles Sanders to one with a few question marks, but if the current running back room can make some magic happen, Philly could be back in the postseason and maybe Super Bowl contention.
. . . Rashaad Penny, running back. . player. 54
Rashaad Penny signed a one-year deal with the Eagles this offseason with the hope that he could prove to be the running back that he was drafted to be. Taken in 2018 by the Seattle Seahawks, he has yet to crack the 1000-yard threshold. He also hasn’t proven that he can stay healthy.
Since entering the league, he has yet to play more than ten games as injuries have hampered him. Running behind the Birds’ offensive line will give him the best chance that he has ever had to be an elite running back.
It’s now or never because, if we’re being honest, if he can’t produce in Philadelphia or if he gets injured again, that will probably be all the evidence we need that the decline of the 27-year-old’s career could be coming sooner than expected.
Must Read. Arguments for the Eagles to draft & ignore Bijan Robinson tenth overall. light
Honorable Mention: Cam Jurgens, center
It may be too early to call this a true ‘boom-or-bust’ year for Cam Jurgens. The theory is that this will be the first year we will see him in a starting role (unless the Eagles draft an offensive lineman and elects to redshirt Jurgens for another season). This is still a very important season for the future of Jurgens’ career however.
The good news is he’s in good hands. With offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland’s tutelage, Jurgens is in the best possible position to ensure he can develop and grow into a starter whenever his number is called.
Jason Kelce went to bat for Jurgens when the Eagles drafted him, citing that he actually helped the front office with the pick. The legend called Jurgens his “favorite player in the draft.” There is a lot of hype surrounding the second-year player out of Nebraska this season, and if he does start, he has the potential to turn some heads. Hopefully, he’s closer to Landon Dickerson than Andre Dillard in terms of player comps. No one would complain if this O-line found another star.