Eagles' state of the franchise: Running backs
The Philadelphia Eagles made a Pro Bowler out of running back D'Andre Swift despite running a pass-first offense for a majority of the 2023 season.
The receiving duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith dominated through the air and QB Jalen Hurts remained reliable as a chain-mover and scorer in short-yardage situations (15 rushing TDs).
Swift led the Eagles in rushing with 1,049 yards — the first time he has topped 1,000 yards rushing in the NFL — but Miles Sanders accomplished the same feat behind Philadelphia's touted offensive line in 2022. He signed with Carolina as a free agent last offseason.
In 2023, Kenneth Gainwell (364 yards rushing) and Boston Scott (86 yards) contributed on a handful of plays each game for Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Rashaad Penny — signed as a free agent to a one-year, $1.35 million deal last offseason — had only 12 touches all season.
Swift, Scott and Penny are pending free agents, leaving Gainwell as the only remaining Eagles running back under contract for 2024.
Here are the options for the Eagles at the position, which NFL teams have devalued over the past decade.
Re-signing D'Andre Swift
According to Spotrac, Swift would command a $6.7 million-per-year deal on an estimated four-year, roughly $27 million contract. The Philadelphia native is only 25 and would be in line for the majority of the carries if he re-signed with the Eagles. Swift is a top-10 rushing talent and probably will get paid as such no matter where he signs.
Free agency
Per DraftKings, the Eagles have the third-best odds to sign veteran Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry, a pending free agent. DraftKings gives the Ravens the best odds of signing the eight-year veteran, who former NFL player Robert Griffin III — an ESPN analyst — pegs as a great fit for Baltimore.
Per Spotrac, Henry would command a one-year deal for roughly $10.3M. He has a lot of mileage, but his production (4.7 yards per carry for career) cannot be ignored.
Giants running back Saquon Barkley, who could get franchise-tagged again, might be another option. Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins, who like Swift is 25, is a cheaper option, but banking on a player who has suffered back-to-back season-ending injuries is likely too much of a risk for the Eagles.
NFL Draft running back prospects
Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman does not have a strong track record for drafting running backs early. Besides, the Eagles haven't drafted a running back in the first round since selecting Keith Byars with the No. 10 overall pick in 1986.
The Eagles are likely to select a running back in Day 2 and/or Day 3 of the NFL Draft, set for April 25-27 in Detroit. Prospects such as Michigan running back Blake Corum, Notre Dame running back Audric Estime and Florida State running back Trey Benson will likely be mid-round options.
Southern Mississippi running back Frank Gore Jr., son of the former NFL star running back, and South Dakota State running back Isaiah Davis might be worth a late-round flier.
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