Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson has largely approached the running back position with a “by committee” approach. It’s a narrative that Eagles fans are familiar with, but unless Pederson shows otherwise, fans should expect this to continue in the 2020 season. Miles Sanders will be the Eagles unquestioned lead back, but there will be other contributors at the position. Elijah Holyfield, Michael Warren II, Adrian Killins, and Corey Clement round out the group competing for roster spots. As the start of the 2020 NFL season gets closer and closer, it is a good time to preview how these players fit within the Philadelphia Eagles philosophy at running back.
Philadelphia Eagles Running Backs Preview
Lead Back
Miles Sanders will be a fixture in the Philadelphia Eagles 2020 offense. Expect Sanders to be a 20 touch per game player, as he looks to build off an excellent rookie season. Sanders finished 2019 with 179 carries, for 818 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns. In addition, he totaled 50 receptions, for 509 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns. During the back half of 2019, as the Eagles were forced to lean on Sanders as one of the few remaining offensive weapons, Sanders shined. Sanders will lead the team’s backfield in volume and production, and he will do so at an elite level.
Early Down Change of Pace
Elijah Holyfield entered the league as an UDFA and signed with the Carolina Panthers following the 2019 NFL Draft. The Eagles signed Holyfield off of the Panthers practice squad December 31st, days before their Wild Card matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, as an emergency/desperation acquisition. Holyfield was a one year starter at the University of Georgia and split time with 2020 draft pick, DeAndre Swift. Holyfield ran for 1,340 yards and totaled seven receptions during his career at UGA. He checked in at 5’10 and 217 pounds, and clocked a 4.78 forty yard dash at the 2019 NFL combine.
After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, Michael Warren II signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an UDFA. Warren II was an incredibly productive two year starter for the University of Cincinnati, and totaled 2,918 rushing yards on 559 carries. Warren II hauled in 51 career receptions and is a better athlete than advertised. Checking in at 5’9″, 226 pounds, Warren II is a powerful back with a nice blend of size and quickness. But like Holyfield, Warren II will not burn NFL defenses for long runs.
The early down role should boil down to a competition between these two players, and the nod will probably go to Warren II. Warren II’s between the tackles ability, coupled with a more versatile game, gives him the advantage over Holyfield once the Eagles reach final cut downs.
Third Down Change of Pace
Simply put, Boston Scott is a lock to make the Eagles 2020 final roster. Initially selected in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints, Scott was signed by the Eagles off of the Saints practice squad in Week 15 of the 2018 season. During the back half of 2019, Scott totaled 725 all purpose yards, and five touchdowns on 11 games played. Scott’s two years in the program, plus proven production during a key stretch of the 2019 season, makes him a lock to make the 53 man roster. Expect Scott to earn this role with the Eagles in the regular season, but don’t ignore Adrian Killins.
Killins is a really exciting running back from the University of Central Florida, who signed with the Eagles as an UDFA following the 2020 NFL Draft. With electric speed, allegedly clocking as fast as a 4.27 forty yard dash, Killins is a threat to score every time he touches the football. Killins, a four year kick return man and three year starter at UCF, where he totaled 3,323 yards from scrimmage, along with a combined rushing and receiving total of 33 touchdowns. Killins should provide value on special teams, and may prove too electric to risk releasing.
A Little Bit of Everything
At his best, Corey Clement is a competent runner and receiver out of the backfield, and pass blocker. In other words, he’s a solid “complete back” in the NFL. This was evident in 2017, when Clement totaled 444 yards from scrimmage with six total touchdowns, capped with a dynamic Super Bowl LII performance. While Clement was off to a solid start in 2018, he ended the season on IR with a knee injury he suffered in Week 14. In 2019 Clement was relegated to special teams work, before again ending the season on IR with a shoulder injury.
Following two disappointing seasons, Clement was released by the Eagles before being re-signed to a one year deal. He now enters training camp as the most experienced player in the group (both with the Eagles and in the league), and in an off-season that might be shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, his experience gives him an automatic head start over Warren II, Holyfield, and Killins. Clement will need to prove he can recapture his 2017 form, but as it currently stands, there should be a lot of opportunities for Clement to contribute to the Eagles offense in 2020.
Final Predictions
Active Roster: Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, Corey Clement, Michael Warren II
Practice Squad: Adrian Killins (assuming he clears waivers)
It is not a group of big names, but it is a perfect set of players that fit what Doug Pederson and Howie Roseman look for when building a backfield. Clement and Warren might pleasantly surprise fans, and while Sanders will lead the way, expect all four of these players to receive touches during the 2020 NFL season for the Eagles.
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