How Bijan Robinson-less Eagles backfield shapes up

The Eagles missed a chance on Thursday night to draft Texas' Bijan Robinson, the consensus best running back in the draft. Instead, the Falcons selected him with the eighth overall pick.

Robinson, the 2022 Doak Walker Award winner as the best college running back, would have been a perfect fit for Philadelphia's RPO attack. His NFL comparison is former Seahawks star Marshawn Lynch, per CBS Sports.

As the Eagles search for another option out of the backfield, whether it's in the late rounds of the draft or in free agency, here's a look at the current backfield. Philadelphia could take a running back-by-committee approach in 2023.

Boston Scott 

The longest-tenured running back on the roster (five years) signed a one-year, $2M deal with the Eagles in March.

The 5-foot-6 playmaker, who went undrafted out of Louisiana Tech, has provided a spark to the offense since joining the team in 2018.

Scott, a solid backup, plays lights-out against the New York Giants, but he has never carried the ball more than 100 times in a season or gained more than 500 yards in a season. 

As Scott enters his sixth season with the Eagles, he'll remain a backup. He's not a player who can carry an offense.

Kenneth Gainwell

The former Memphis standout was buried in the Eagles depth chart for his first two seasons, fighting for carries with Miles Sanders (now a Carolina Panther) and Scott. 

Now that there is more opportunity for Gainwell to carry the rock, he should expect to have a heavier workload in 2023. 

Gainwell averaged 4.4 yards per carry in his first two seasons. If he can maintain that level of production with 20 or more touches per game, new Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson will be happy.

Rashaad Penny

Penny, a former first-round pick by Seattle, has battled injuries through his first five seasons as a pro, including a broken leg last season. He has missed 43 of 87 games over his career, per ESPN.

However, when Penny plays, it becomes obvious why Seattle used a first-round pick on him. He's oozing with potential. In 2021, Penny -- who signed a one-year deal with the Eagles -- rushed for 749 yards and six touchdowns in just six starts. 

While his long injury history is concerning, if the Eagles spread the ball around and let Penny rest, he could turn into a cheap, effective playmaker.