The 2020 NFL Combine kicked off on Monday, but the most important part of the week, the workouts, begins on Thursday in primetime.
Eagles executive vice president/general manager Howie Roseman and his staff are projected to have 10 picks to work with during the NFL Draft and with the goal being to retool and get younger, the Birds are set to infuse youth and talent.
The Eagles have Miles Sanders and Boston Scott but can always add more talent. With running back always being a need, here are five to watch at the combine.
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1. Rico Dowdle — South Carolina
A Duce Staley clone and a guy the Eagles assistant head coach is familiar with, Dowdle could be a back of interest for the Eagles in later rounds.
The 5-foot-11, 213-pound running back with Staley’s son Damani, and has a physical style that the Eagles could need if Jordan Howard exits in free agency.
2. Lamical Perine — Florida
A top-10 rated running back, the former Florida Gators star is related to Jacksonville Jaguars star linebacker Myles Jack and former Oklahoma and current NFL back Samaje Perine.
This season Perine led the Gators with 131 carries, 677 rushing yards, 5.2 yards per carry, six rushing TDs.
3. </h3Joshua Kelley — UCLA
One of the classiest and most likable players in the class, the UCLA running back was a second-team all-conference pick in 2019 for Chip Kelly, carrying the ball 229 times for 1,060 yards, 4.6 ypc, 12 touchdowns.
4. Zach Moss — Utah
Compared to Marshawn Lynch in some circles, Moss is a stud power back that could interest the Eagles as a change of pace style back or a player who can share the backfield with Miles Sanders.
A Miami native related to Santana and Sinorice Moss, Zach Moss led the Utes in 2019 with 235 carries for 1,416 yards, 6.0 yards per carry and 15 touchdowns.
That production earned Moss third-team Associated Press All-American and first-team all-conference honors as one of the nation’s top rushers.
5. Patrick Taylor Jr. — Memphis
A big-bodied back that can replace Jordan Howard, Taylor and 2019 third-round pick Darnell Henderson formed a potent one-two punch for the Tigers in 2017 and 2018. As a junior, Taylor carried the ball 214 times for 1,122 yards (5.4 average) and 16 touchdowns and caught 17 passes for 197 yards (11.6, two TDs).
