Bruising free-agent running backs who would reinvent the Eagles' rushing attack
Trust us on this one. You can do much worse in life than making a lot of money to play the running back position at the NFL level. Just don't tell the 'experts' or some of the game's top coaching staffs that. Look at the Philadelphia Eagles and how they have devalued the position over the years. They haven't treated tailbacks like they play a premier position, and guess what? They aren't alone in that regard. Across the league, we have seen a shift in philosophies. That has led to discussion.
Running backs aren't earning the type of coin that they used to. We get it. These guys have shorter shelf lives and fewer prime years. The facts are the facts. We're talking about football's most punished position. Philly won't put a ton of work or money into upgrading the unit. Truthfully, we can understand the reasoning for why.
Yeah, we'll never forget that single season by LeGarrette Blount, but Corey Clement didn't last long. Josh Adams led the team in rushing in 2018. Then, Philly moved on from him. Miles Sanders earned a Pro Bowl nod after the 2022 regular season. Then, the Birds moved on from him.
D'Andre Swift is the latest Eagles rusher to earn a Pro Bowl nod. No one would be surprised if he returned for another season. No one would be shocked if the Birds moved on from him, but this team needs a bruiser.
What can we say? Adding one of the guys on our list during free agency might be a pipe dream. We'll probably never see any of these moves happen. We certainly can dream though, can't we?
We're sick of seeing Jalen Hurts serve as the primary ball carrier and take the type of punishment he takes week-in and week-out basis. Perhaps these guys could provide the elixir, but again Philly must show interest.
Honorable mention: J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens
Okay, maybe we're toeing the line here by referring to J.K. Dobbins as a 'bruiser'. What's the alternative though? Are we to throw Zack Moss and Devin Singletary into our top five and ask them to do the job? Nope! We're good on that front.
J.K. stands at five-foot-ten and tips the scales at 215 pounds. Some of you have nephews who are bigger than that, but after watching him eclipse more than three yards per carry AFTER contact in 2023, we're feeling he can manage about ten totes per contest in Philadelphia in short-yardage and third-down situations.
Let's see if the rest of our list looks like yours.
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