The Philadelphia Eagles are likely to make several additions on offense and although running back is not expected to be a huge priority, the Birds could still look to add talent at that position.
According to ESPN’s Matthew Berry, who approached the NFL Combine from a fantasy football viewpoint, the Eagles may not be ready to make Miles Sanders a workhorse running back.
Doug Pederson and Duce Staley love to employ a running back by committee approach and Berry’s believe is that 2020 will hold true to form.
The Eagles really missed Jordan Howard down the stretch last season and with Howie Roseman always aggressively pursuing talent, here are seven ball carriers Philadelphia could target in free agency.
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1. Jordan Howard
Despite analysts and critics already securing his ticket out of town, Howard can play with Miles Sanders and it’s not out of the realm of possibility for the Eagles to retain the bruising running back.
Sanders finished his rookie season with 1,327 yards from scrimmage and six total touchdowns, but he was banged up at times and Howard would provide a needed change of pace and size. Boston Scott will replace Darren Sproles’ role in the offense nicely, and with Corey Clement likely returning, Howard could give the Eagles a formidable rushing attack on paper.
2. Melvin Gordon
Gordon wants to be the man and highly paid, but he could be best-served fitting in nicely to a committee approach that would see him featured as a rusher and a passer.
Gordon could fit well with Miles Sanders in a fashion similar to how the Chargers utilized Austin Ekeler.
The Eagles tried to trade for Gordon prior to the start of last season, and after a disappointing 2019 season, he could be had on a prove it style deal as he searches for LeVeon Bell-type money.
Gordon could be an option if his market doesn’t present itself.
3. Peyton Barber
Barber started 26 straight games for the Buccaneers before taking a backseat to Ronald Jones in 2019 as his yards-per-carry figure shrank from 3.7 in 2018 to 3.1 last season.
Barber spent his first four NFL seasons with the Buccaneers after originally signing as an
undrafted free agent out of Auburn in 2016.
Peyton Barber and Jones II split the starts and carries but the former Auburn star only produced 470 yards and could benefit from a change of scenery.
4. Chris Thompson
The Eagles are familiar with Thompson from his days in Washington and any needed proof about his ability to play can be found on the tape.
Thompson has been solid against the Eagles during his career amassing three receiving touchdowns on 35 catches out of the backfield. He’s relatively fresh from a playing standpoint, only having carried the ball 250 times in his young career. Thompson and Sanders would be interchangeable in the Eagles offense.
5. Isaiah Crowell
A quality yet unheralded running back, Crowell will be entering his sixth season in the NFL and during two of his last three seasons, he’s averaged 4.8 yards a carry.
Crowell missed all of the 2019 season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon and could be a value addition.
6. Matt Breida
The 49ers have NFC Championship hero Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, Breida and Jeff Wilson all on the roster. With Breida being a restricted free agent, he could be a player of interest for the Eagles.
Last season, Breida carried the ball 123 times for 623 yards and a score, while averaging 5.1 yards a carry. During his brief 43-game career, Breida has carried the ball 381 times for 1,902 yards and 10 total touchdowns.
The 49ers will be able to match any offers he may receive in free agency but could be inclined to let him walk.
7. Devonta Freeman
In 2017, his production declined a bit and in 2018, Freeman was pretty much injured for the entire season. 2019 was supposed to be the year that Freeman bounced back.
Fast forward to the 2019 season and you’ll see things didn’t go as expected. Rushing for only 656 yards and two touchdowns isn’t going to cut it in the NFL especially for a team with playoff aspirations.
