While NFL teams struggle with managing RBs, the Eagles have delivered a masterclass
By Jake Beckman
Well, we all saw what happened. Saquon Barkley was given the franchise tag by the New York Giants. The two sides failed to work out a deal. We have also seen high-level and big-named running backs airing their grievances over how they are valued by the NFL at large, so it seems like this is as good of a time as any to look over the Philadelphia Eagles' running back room.
Following the early offseason departure of Miles Sanders, D’Andre Swift, Rashaad Penny, Kenny Gainwell, Boston Scott, and Trey Sermon are the top five players at the position on the Eagles' depth chart. You could say that’s ‘not too shabby,’ but you’d be wrong because that’s actually a really good room.
How is the Eagles' running back room looking both money-wise and skill-wise?
As we're looking at this and talking about money, let's make sure we keep something in mind, Miles Sanders' contract with the Carolina Panthers. He's going to be making $7.2 Million per year. We know that he had a career year last season. He helped the Eagles soar to the heights that they reached, so we all have nothing but love for him, but let's keep that number, $7.2 million, in mind.
D’Andre Swift - $1.8 million
We talked about this before: D’Andre Swift has been called ‘injury prone,’ but we’ve thoroughly debunked that. It was more of the Detroit Lions' mismanagement of a guy who was playing hurt and it made him less productive.
D’Andre Swift
— Jesse Morse, MD (@DrJesseMorse) June 7, 2023
This went under the radar.
High-ankle sprains are notorious for zapping power & explosiveness.
He likely suffered it in W1, as he only played 67% of snaps in W1, 51% in W2 & 41% in W3.
He then missed the next 4 weeks. He should have sat after W1 & would have… https://t.co/Tj9QAJYkfT
The last time the Eagles saw Swift, was in Week 1 of the 2022 season when he was healthy. In that game, he had 15 carries for 144 yards and a touchdown. That’s hopefully going to be the D’Andre Swift that we see more of this season.
His rushing ability is great, but the thing that stands out the most about Swift is his pass-catching abilities. When Miles Sanders was RB1, his lack of those abilities really stood out. In Swift's three seasons in the NFL, he has racked up no less than 350 receiving yards each season.
Compare that to Sanders who, in his last three seasons, hauled in a combined total of 433 receiving yards. Oh, and Swift is only getting paid $1.8 million.