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RBs not named Saquon Barkley for the Eagles in 2024

Najee Harris. Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Running backs not named Saquon Barkley for the Eagles in 2024

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 1/26/24

Calm down Philly, the Eagles aren’t signing Saquon Barkley in the offseason. He’ll want money and carries and he’ll get neither in Philadelphia. But these three running backs make perfect sense for 2024.

Dalvin Cook, Baltimore Ravens

After sitting on the Jets’ bench for most of the season, Cook was released just before the team’s regular-season finale. He signed with Baltimore shortly afterward and had eight carries for 23 yards in Baltimore’s 34-10 playoff victory over the Texans.

Not great numbers to be sure, but before his stint with the Jets, Cook had 7,787 total yards and 52 touchdowns with the Vikings. He was the NFL’s sixth-leading rusher in 2022, the fifth-leading rusher in 2021 and second-leading rusher in 2020.

His biggest mistake may have been signing with a team that already had Breece Hall. If he has anything left, the Eagles could use an experienced, pass-catching back like Cook. And after taking a mulligan for most of 2023, he’s unlikely to break the bank in 2024.

Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

While the world waits for his production to go down, the 30-year-old running back continues to pile up 1,000-yard seasons. Henry’s 1,167 yards were second-most among running backs in 2023 and his 12 touchdowns tied for seventh.

Henry isn’t the same player that won AP Offensive Player of the Year by rushing for 2,027 yards in 2020, but if Philadelphia’s next offensive coordinator is committed to the run, Henry would be a great fit for the Eagles.

Derrick Henry on what's left in the tank: "I'm not even close to done playing. I still feel like I can run for another 2,000, but that's for the future to tell."https://t.co/DqSQIReU9L pic.twitter.com/SyNPrKZ6ZX
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) January 18, 2024

Before the Eagles 2017 Super Bowl run, the team signed former Patriot LeGarrette Blount, whose size and bruising, straight-forward running style was very similar to Henry’s. Blount led the team with 766 yards rushing that year, mostly by averaging 5.6 yards per carry on first downs.

Henry’s days as a feature back are likely behind him, but in a committee with Kenneth Gainwell operating as a third-down back, the former Titan and future Hall of Famer would be an immediate fan favorite.

Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers

If the Eagles don’t re-sign D’Andre Swift, Pittsburgh’s leading rusher could be the next best thing. He’s not a free agent, but that didn’t stop Philadelphia from trading for Swift last offseason.

Swift’s 1,049 yards were fifth-most in the NFL last year, and Harris finished seventh with 1,035 rushing yards. Harris carries a cap hit of $4.1M with $2M in base salary next year while Swift should expect a long-term deal worth more than $20M in free agency.

If the Steelers don’t plan on re-signing Harris at the end of his contract, they could decide to draft another running back and get something for him now. Former undrafted free agent Jaylen Warren has shown in his second season and could be a more cost-effective option for the Steelers.

If so, expect the Eagles to have interest. After all, other than Gainwell, the team doesn’t have a single running back signed for next season. They’ll need to do something and if the Steelers are willing to let him go, Philadelphia needs to make an offer.

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