Late-Round 2020 NFL Draft targets for the Philadelphia Eagles

Running Back

All Philadelphia Eagles fans had to do was look at Roseman’s draft and free agency history to know what would happen to running back Jordan Howard after 2019. While some fans hoped he would stay in the city of brotherly love, he was in the last year of his rookie contract in 2019 and spent the last half of the season injured on the sideline.

While they did invest a second-round pick on Miles Sanders in 2019, this was after neglecting the running back position for several seasons. Preferring to use single-season rentals like Legarrette Blount and Jay Ajayi during their recent Super Bowl run, they entered the 2018 season with mostly injury-plagued veterans at the running back position.

Now the Philadelphia Eagles come into the 2020 season with even less help at the running back position. Corey Clement will not be tendered as a restricted free agent, Darren Sproles is retired and Howard is headed to the Miami Dolphins. The team heads into the 2020 season with Sanders as the lead back and Boston Scott, who was a practice squad player before 2019 injuries forced him into regular duty.

The 2018 season showed what happens when a team totally disregards the running back position. They regularly faced opposing defenses that dropped six players into coverage that season, as the running game was not a legitimate option for the offense. Roseman may not see running back as a position of value but he will be anxious to avoid a scenario like 2018 again.

The good news for the Philadelphia Eagles is they have one of the most accomplished running back coaches in the NFL. Duce Staley has been with the team for over a decade and got a first-hand look at the 2020 NFL Draft prospects at the Combine this year. Staley developed a drill that running backs used at the Combine this year and got to see up close how they performed.

If the Philadelphia Eagles are looking for another elusive running back like Sproles, they should check out Eno Benjamin from Arizona State. Used as a three-down back in college, he racked up two college seasons with another 1,000 yards, including 1,642 yards in 2018.

Measuring in at the Combine as 5-foot-9, 207-pounds, Benjamin is a bit undersized for a three-down running back in the NFL. But he has a deep pool of experience to draw upon, as he scored 26 touchdowns since 2018 for the Sun Devils. In 2018, he had the most plays from scrimmage (335) in the entire NCAA and in 2019 he lined up on the field more than any other player in the entire Pac-12, according to Sports Reference.

Known as an elusive running back in college, he also doubled as a receiving option, scoring four touchdowns on 625 yards receiving during his college career. With Sanders filling a similar role for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019, it would be interesting to see how defenses react to having two legitimate pass-catching running back on the field.

If the Philadelphia Eagles are looking for a more traditional running back to replace Howard they should be looking at Jonathan Taylor from Wisconsin. While they may have to use a bit earlier of a pick on him, he might be a running back that is worth the investment.

Taylor was extremely productive as a running back in college, logging in three seasons of over 1,900 yards and won three Big 10 rushing titles. He finished his three seasons at Wisconsin with 6,174 rushing yards, 50 rushing touchdowns and five receiving touchdowns.

Taylor has the speed and strength to replace Howard as an in-between the tackles rusher. Once he breaks free Taylor has a second speed he can easily shift into, making him a home run threat anytime he breaks contact. He has a good stiff arm to keep defenders at bay. He also has elite feet to confuse defenders, thereby giving him a great platform to take off from.

His two biggest concerns are his fumbles and his inexperience as a receiving option. According to NFL.com, Taylor fumbled 15 times in three seasons. With NFL games being so close, one turnover can make all the difference in 2020 between a win and a loss. As a receiver, Taylor got five touchdowns on 26 receptions in 2019. Before last season, he had only 16 receptions in two seasons.

His use in college will also scare several teams away. He ran 926 times in three seasons, according to Sports Reference. One must wonder what his knees and legs are like after that much use. Since he lacks experience as a receiving option, this running back is likely to fall until the third round, possibly later. Taylor would make an excellent addition for the Philadelphia Eagles, so long as it’s past the second round.

If the Philadelphia Eagles want a running back who produced even in a bad environment they should check out Cam Akers from Florida State. Unlike Benjamin and Taylor, Aker’s does not have gaudy rushing numbers. Akers only had 13 touchdowns during his first two seasons at Florida State before doubling that number in 2019, finishing his college career with 27 touchdowns in three seasons.

Unlike other running backs in the 2020 NFL Draft, Akers rushed behind an offensive line that ranked 129 out of 130 in 2019, according to PFF. And despite that weak offensive line blocking for him, Aker’s was still able to rack up 1,144 yards on 231 attempts, good for 14 touchdowns. His rushing is also balanced out by his ability to be a receiving option. He had 69 receptions in three seasons, good for seven receiving touchdowns.

Measuring in at the Combine at 5-foot-10, 217-pounds, Akers is a tough running back, who finishes strong when tackled and finds tempo, despite being on a losing team. He found a way to produce behind one of the worst offensive lines in college. Now imagine Akers, but instead, he is getting blocks from the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line, which is consistently among the best in the entire NFL.

According to his Combine report at NFL.com, Akers is an “Instinctive runner with a good feel for run-lane development”. His NFL Comparison player was Duke Johnson, which should interest the Philadelphia Eagles. Johnson’s name was linked with the Philadelphia Eagles many times during the 2019 offseason, as Roseman attempted to trade for him before he ultimately ended up with the Houston Texans.

The Seminole’s lack of wins during Akers’s college career will cause some teams to undervalue him. But his stocky legs and an innate ability to find open lanes will make him an underappreciated value in the 2020 NFL Draft. If Roseman wants to finally lock down a balanced, motivated running back with plenty of tread on the tires for the next four seasons, Akers may be the best option in the middle rounds.