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USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Glenn Erby

10 running backs for the Eagles to watch at the 2024 NFL Combine

Running back depth is a massive priority for the Eagles, and that’ll be the position to watch on Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Howie Roseman is looking to retool the roster following Philadelphia’s historic collapse, finishing the season 1-6 after a 10-1 start.

Philadelphia has three free-agent running backs, and Kenneth Gainwell has done nothing to show that he can be an every-down, starting running back.

With Day 3 of on-field workouts set to begin, we’re looking at ten running backs for Philadelphia to watch.

Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville

Louisville’s Isaac Guerendo stood at the ready before a kickoff as the Louisville Cardinals hosted the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday afternoon at L&N Stadium in Louisville, Ky. Kentucky defeated Louisville 38-31. Nov. 25, 2023.

Gurendo logged 132 carries for 810 yards and 11 touchdowns for Louisville in 2023 after transferring from Wisconsin.

Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) runs the ball toward the end zone against the Oklahoma State Cowboys as his teammate wide receiver Chimere Dike (13) begins to react during the Guaranteed Rate Bowl Game at Chase Field on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022.Ncaa Guaranteed Rate Bowl

Following in the footsteps of Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin featured Allen as its lead running back for three seasons and he logged 984 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns last fall despite missing two-plus games after suffering a high ankle sprain against Ohio State.

Allen finished his career with 3,494 rushing yards, which ranks ninth all-time in program history and second among Wisconsin rushers to only play three seasons, behind Jonathan Taylor (6,174).

If Allen can display burst and athleticism, he could shoot up draft boards.

Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas

Texas Longhorns running back Jonathon Brooks (24) runs for the first down against TCU Horned Frogs in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, November. 11, 2023, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas.

Brooks forego his final two years of eligibility and entered the 2024 NFL Draft after emerging as the Longhorns’ top running back before suffering a season-ending ACL tear.

Brooks led Texas with 1,139 yards, ten touchdowns, and another 286 yards receiving in 10 games. He posted eight straight games with at least 98 yards rushing, headlined by a 218-yard, two-touchdown performance against Kansas.

Trey Benson, RB, Florida State

Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Trey Benson (3) runs the ball against the Louisville Cardinals during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Benson, who rushed for 905 yards and 14 touchdowns this season while averaging 5.8 yards per carry, is the No. 2-rated running back by ESPN NFL draft insider Mel Kiper Jr.

Benson was a redshirt junior who tore his ACL at Oregon in 2020, transferred to FSU, and immediately found success, rushing for 990 yards and nine touchdowns in 2022. He also had a receiving touchdown and a kickoff return in his two seasons at FSU, giving him 25 total TDs in two seasons.

Blake Corum ,RB, Michigan

Michigan running back Blake Corum runs against Washington during the first half of the national championship game at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.

Philadelphia has three running backs set for NFL free agency, and if GM Howie Roseman doesn’t want to pay D’Andre Swift $4 million a year, then the Michigan running back would pair well with Kenneth Gainwell.

During the past two seasons, Corum has logged 2,905 scrimmage yards and 47 touchdowns, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.

Frank Gore Jr., RB, Southern Miss

Feb 1, 2024; Frisco, TX, USA; West running back Frank Gore Jr. of Southern Miss (3) runs with the ball against the East during the first half at the Ford Center at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Like his father, Gore Jr. is a compact every-down running back who is a tough runner with good contact balance and an ability to handle a Boston Scott type role.

Daijun Edwards, RB, Georgia

Dec 30, 2023; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Daijun Edwards (30) rushes the ball against the Florida State Seminoles during the second half in the 2023 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The former Georgia running back finished his 2023 season with 881 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.

Ray Davis , RB, Kentucky

Feb 1, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; American running back Ray Davis of Kentucky (21) works in running drills during practice for the American team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Davis scored 21 total touchdowns in 2023 and accumulated 1,446 yards from scrimmage.

Davis finished the season with 33 receptions on 40 targets (82.5% catch rate) with seven explosive receptions. The former Kentucky dual-threat was used heavily in the screen game, was a valuable check-down option, and will bring two-way versatility to any offense.

Dylan Laube, RB/WR, New Hampshire

University of New Hampshire junior Dylan Laube runs against Holy Cross in the second round of the FCS playoffs, Dec. 3, 2022 in Worcester.69686220007p Wor Laube

The New Hampshire star jumped up draft boards at the Senior Bowl, showing off his speed to turn the corner and the ability to win one-on-one matchups in the passing game.  Laube could have a Darren Sproles impact as a slot receiver, and he put his dual-threat abilities on display last season with 68 catches for 699 yards and seven receiving touchdowns.

Philadelphia has three running backs who’ll test free agency, and Laube could be the perfect late-round draft pick for Moore.

Will Shipley, RB, Clemson

Clemson running back Will Shipley (1) during the fourth quarter of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville , Florida, Friday, December 29, 2023. Clemson won 38-35.

In his final game at Clemson, Shipley recorded 132 all-purpose yards to help the Tigers record a 38-35 win over Kentucky in the Gator Bowl on Dec. 29.

Shipley returned two kickoffs for 94 yards, rushed for 29 yards and caught two passes for nine yards, before exiting with an injury. Shipley finished the 2023 season with 827 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

He also added 31 receptions for 244 yards and two more scores.

The 2022 campaign was Shipley best statical season of his career, as the dual threat running back rushed for 1,182 yards and 15 touchdowns and added 38 catches for 242 yards. He finishes his college career with 2,748 yards and 31 touchdowns rushing to go with more than 600 yards receiving.

Marshawn Lloyd, RB, USC

Oct 28, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; USC Trojans running back MarShawn Lloyd (0) carries the ball against California Golden Bears linebacker Cade Uluave (27) during the fourth quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

A thick powerful running back with a low center of gravity, good vision, decisive, good physicality, Lloyd could be an elite dual-threat in the NFL.

Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee

Nov 25, 2023; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright (0) runs the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

An explosive running back with good size and breakaway speed. Wright’s big-play potential and talent as a pass catcher should make him a Day 2 target as a future starter.

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