The Eagles did not sign any free agent running backs prior to the 2020 NFL Draft. Throughout the course of the draft, they made 10 picks. None of them were running backs. In the hours immediately following the draft, the team agreed to terms with undrafted running backs Michael Warren and Adrian Killins.
And then on Wednesday, the team brought back Corey Clement on a one-year deal. That means the Eagles currently have six running backs on their roster:
While Miles Sanders is entrenched as the team’s No. 1 running back after a breakout rookie season, the rest of the roles and roster spots remain a mystery. Boston Scott seems like a lock to make the roster after playing an important role for the team down the stretch in 2019, but he is a change-of-pace, pass-catching back. Clement is a former Super Bowl hero but hasn’t been healthy the past two seasons. The team added Elijah Holyfield late last season, but he has yet to see the field. Warren and Killins are undrafted rookies.
According to Adam Caplan on the most recent episode of he and Geoff Mosher’s Inside the Birds TV, the team is expected to sign another veteran free agent running back. With the uncertainty at the position behind Sanders, this makes a lot of sense. But is the team really really going to commit significant financial resources to the position? And who is still available that might fit their past preference for a LeGarrette Blount or Jordan Howard type of running back?
Here’s a list of veteran free agent running backs who are still available:
- Devonta Freeman, Falcons
- Carlos Hyde, Texans
- Lamar Miller, Texans
- Ty Montgomery, Jets
- LeSean McCoy, Bills/Chiefs
- Bilal Powell, Jets
Frank Gore, Buffalo- Chris Thompson, Washington
- Spencer Ware, Chiefs
- Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks
- Theo Riddick, Broncos
- Isaiah Crowell, Raiders
- Jonathan Williams, Colts
- Kenjon Barner, Falcons
- Buck Allen, Giants
- Wendell Smallwood, Redskins
- Alfred Blue, Jaguars
- C.J. Prosise, Seahawks
Of this list, the names who immediately jump out (for different reasons) are Devonta Freeman, Carlos Hyde, LeSean McCoy, Lamar Miller, and Ty Montgomery. But first, let’s take a look at what the Eagles are likely searching for and who probably doesn’t fit that mold.
What kind of running back are the Eagles looking for?
A couple of quick notes here. First, it has been assumed far and wide that the Eagles are looking for a “bruiser” type of running back. The thunder to the lightning that is Miles Sanders, if you will. That might not necessarily be the case. While the Eagles would probably like a running back in the mold of Jordan Howard, what they really want is someone who can step in and handle 10-15 touches a game should Sanders miss some time.
If that running back has some meat on his bones and can step into the “closer” role that Doug Pederson likes to roll with when he has a lead late in games, even better. But it shouldn’t be assumed that the team is only looking at bigger backs. They aren’t.
Who doesn’t fit the criteria?
Right of the bat, a number of names can probably be eliminated from the list the Eagles are working from. Considering the criteria above and the team’s desire to avoid injury risks (re-signing Corey Clement for the league minimum is probably as far as they are willing to go in terms of frequently/recently-injured running backs), these running backs are unlikely to sign with the Eagles:
- Chris Thompson
- Frequently injured. Operates in a third-down, pass-catching role. Thompson doesn’t fit a need and makes little sense.
- Theo Riddick
- See above.
- C.J. Prosise
- See above, but younger and with more size. Prosise could make more sense than either Thompson or Riddick because of his size and potential, but he’s still unlikely.
- Kenjon Barner
- A familiar face, but the Eagles essentially found a better version of Barner in Boston Scott
- Wendell Smallwood
- Another familiar face, but not one the Eagles will be eager to reunite with. The questions surrounding the offseason and the potential lack of mini-camps or training camp could make this one more likely. But that increase in odds is probably from 1% to 5%.
Frank GoreWhile former Eagles legend Frank Gore returning to Philadelphia after agreeing to terms with them only to back out of the deal would make for a good story, it’s not happening. Probably.- Frank Gore agreed to terms with the New York Jets.
Who does that leave?
Devonta Freeman would be a perfect fit, but it’s probably that he finds a better deal elsewhere. The fact that it is now May 1 and he still hasn’t signed anywhere, though, is a good sign for the Eagles if they are interested. Freeman is a former Pro Bowl running back who just signed 28. He has dealt with injuries in the last few years and is not exactly big, but he is a proven starter in this league.
Ty Montgomery, likewise, could be a solid fit with the Eagles. He converted from wide receiver to running back while with the Green Bay Packers but has not seen much action the last two years with the Jets and Ravens, respectively. He is only 27 and is versatile. The Eagles should be interested.
LeSean McCoy is a former Eagles running back and a fan favorite, and the team has reportedly been interested in re-acquiring him at least a couple of times in recent years. Some reports indicate that the team remains interested but that McCoy is not their first choice. He is a decent fit, but McCoy was a healthy scratch for Andy Reid and the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, and they were not exactly bursting with depth at the position. His best days are behind him.
Carlos Hyde always seems to do two things: run hard and look for a new home after the season. After beginning his career with the 49ers, Hyde has been on three teams in the last couple of years. He rushed for over 1,000 yards and 4.4 YPC in Houston last season, but no one seems to be interested. Something is up there. Hyde is a popular pick among Eagles fans and analysts.
Lamar Miller just turned 29. He also just missed the entire 2019 season due to a torn ACL. At this point in his career, he could be an ideal backup. But is he healthy? That’s a question the Eagles will have to answer before making a decision. And for a team like Philly that has been so snakebitten with injuries the last few years, that might be enough to scare them off.
Spencer Ware seems like a perfect fit on paper. He has been a starter and a backup in the NFL and would be coming from a similar system after playing with Andy Reid in Kansas City. However, multiple reports have indicated the Eagles are not interested. Shrug.
Isaiah Crowell is another interesting running back who could be a fit. Jimmy Kempski included him in his “remaining holes to fill” piece a few days ago. Like Ware, he has started and been a backup in the NFL. And he doesn’t turn 28 until January.
That’s a lot of words. What’s the answer?
The thinking here is that the Eagles aren’t looking to spend big at the position, but they also aren’t looking to go extremely cheap and just bring in a nobody who might not even make the team. They want a No. 2 back, or at least someone who can split time with Boston Scott and/or Corey Clement if necessary.
There has been mutual interest between McCoy and the Eagles, but that feels like a third or fourth option for them. Carlos Hyde seems ideal, but again, something just isn’t right about his story. And Lamar Miller doesn’t bring enough to the table to outweigh the injury risks. Spencer Ware makes sense, but the Eagles don’t appear to be interested. Maybe that changes in the coming days/weeks.
That leaves Freeman, Montgomery, and Crowell. If you’re putting money down on this transaction, put it down on one of those names. The Eagles have probably already called Freeman, but he is waiting to see what his market looks like after the NFL Draft, and they are waiting to see what his final price might look like. Could he agree to a one-year deal with the Eagles and try to reset his market next offseason? Sure. But he’ll probably get a better offer unless the Eagles get aggressive.
Montgomery and Crowell both make sense, as we have already said. While the Eagles wouldn’t want to go into the season with either one of them as their starter, both can fill valuable roles. Don’t be surprised if either of those names ends up in midnight green in the coming weeks.
Which free agent running backs are you interested in for the Eagles?
