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Philadelphia Eagles: 5 breakout player candidates for 2018

By George Stockburger

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 31: Cornerback Sidney Jones #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 31, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 31: Cornerback Sidney Jones #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 31, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 17: Donnel Pumphrey #34 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against Tanner Vallejo #40 of the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter of the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 17, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Bills 20-16. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 17: Donnel Pumphrey #34 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against Tanner Vallejo #40 of the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter of the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 17, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Bills 20-16. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Donnel Pumphrey. 4. team. 54. . RB/PR.

Sitting with the 99th overall pick, Philadelphia hoped to snag Toledo’s Kareem Hunt, but after the Chiefs traded up to 86th the Eagles were out of luck. Instead, they took the all-time leader in rushing yards in NCAA Division I FBS history with the 132nd overall pick, Donnel Pumphrey.

The idea was that Pumphrey, who made a name for himself on special teams with San Diego State, would be the heir to Darren Sproles as a return specialist. While Pumphrey only had five collegiate career returns he drew comparisons to Sproles with elite shiftiness at 5’9.

Pumphrey never played past the preseason after suffering a hamstring injury. Philadelphia placed him on injured reserve to prevent releasing the fourth round pick.

The running back finished his first preseason with 26 carries for 49 yards with 13 catches for 72 yards and 11 kick returns with little results. Pumphrey had almost as many negative plays than positive, especially with four carries for five yards in his first preseason action, with his longest carry being for five yards.

Philadelphia now enters this preseason with three running backs locked into the 53-man roster: Jay Ajayi, Darren Sproles, and Corey Clement. Pumphrey will battle veteran Matt Jones, Wendell Smallwood, and undrafted free agent Josh Adams.

If Pumphrey gets an opportunity on special teams he could make a legitimate push to be the fourth running back and contributor on special teams.

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