The Philadelphia Eagles have strengthened their running game as they prepare for a playoff push with the acquisition of the Miami Dolphins’ Jay Ajayi.
The British-born running back will move to Philadelphia in exchange for a fourth-round pick in next year’s draft. The Eagles are in first place in the NFC East with a 7-1 record but are looking to strengthen their running attack, which ranks fourth in the NFL, after losing Darren Sproles for the season. Ajayi will team up with another bruising running back, LeGarrette Blount, in a formidable Eagles offense led by Carson Wentz, who is having a breakout year at quarterback.
Ajayi was born in London and moved to the States in 2000 at the age of seven. He was named to the Pro Bowl last year after becoming only the fourth player in NFL history to rush for more than 200 yards in three games in a single season. This season has been more of a grind, however: he has yet to score a touchdown and is averaging just 3.4 yards per rushing attempt. Last year he averaged 4.9.
The NFL trade deadline is at 4pm Eastern Time on Tuesday. Ajayi’s is not the only big trade: Tom Brady’s back-up at the New England Patriots, Jimmy Garoppolo, is set to join the San Francisco 49ers while the Houston Texans’ Pro Bowl tackle Duane Brown will move to the Seattle Seahawks, who are looking to offer more protection for Russell Wilson, in exchange for draft picks and cornerback Jeremy Lane.
