Corey Clement set for expanded role with Eagles in 2018

Former Wisconsin running back and undrafted free agent Corey Clement is set for a vastly expanded role in 2018, and deservedly so…

One year ago at this time, Nick Foles throwing a touchdown pass to Corey Clement would have sounded more like a preseason week four moment than a Super Bowl, game-changing moment.

Clement’s 22-yard touchdown reception in Super Bowl LI was a major highlight in an otherwise very solid rookie season, one that Clement had to work extremely hard for.

Not that other players don’t have to work hard for their roles in the NFL, but the Philadelphia Eagles had a loaded roster going into the 2017 season, and Clement was competing at a position that included proven veteran players like LeGarrette Blount and Darren Sproles, along with promising young players like Wendell Smallwood and Donnel Pumphrey.

The Eagles would also later trade for Jay Ajayi from the Dolphins.

Clement was no stranger to tough competition at his position having played collegiately at Wisconsin.

With the Badgers, he shared carries in 2013 and 2014 with Melvin Gordon and James White.

In 2015, he lost all but four games to injury.

In 2016, he was finally the lead back, and he showed out with 1,375 yards and 15 touchdowns on a whopping 314 carries.

There’s a stigma around Wisconsin running backs in the NFL that is quickly being shattered, and Clement is now part of the group that is bucking the trend.

Along with the aforementioned Gordon and White, Clement may quickly establish himself as one of the most versatile backs in the NFL.

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Clement has not been shy about saying he wants more touches in 2018 and why wouldn’t he?

In his rookie season, he averaged over four yards per carry with four touchdowns and another pair of touchdowns on 10 receptions. In the playoffs, he added the touchdown in the Super Bowl and was one of the team’s leading receivers on third downs.

Not including the playoffs, Clement scored once every 14 times he touched the ball in 2017. That was obviously with a very special offense, but not much has changed other than the team hopefully getting better as Carson Wentz continues to grow in his craft.

A more expanded role for Clement will obviously mean he won’t score every 14 times he touches the ball, but that kind of efficiency and ability to get the job done should earn him every right to more carries and targets in the passing game.

The Eagles had such a strong committee of running backs last season, but they may be able to consolidate this season and utilize Ajayi and Clement primarily with other players rotating in occasionally.

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