If you are an Eagles fan, you know we had a running back by committee in 2021 that led us to the turn around we had last season. With Miles Sanders in and out of injury, we had several different backs step up in his absence. Duce Staley left for Detroit after the 2020 season and helped shape some of the backs we have now including Boston Scott and Miles Sanders. Lets look at who we have on the roster currently.
Miles Sanders
Sanders is Philly’s feature back and when healthy one of the better backs in the league. He is coming up on a contract year. Hopefully with what he has shown we can pay him. Yes he has battled some injuries but we have shown our offense is better with Miles on the field. In three seasons with Philadelphia, Sanders has posted 800+ yards in his Rookie and Sophomore seasons while playing 16 games as a rookie and just 12 the year after. This past season in 12 games he posted 750 yards but no touchdowns. If Sanders was healthy and played all 16 games each of these last two seasons he would have easily eclipsed 1000 yards. I believe he will have that chance this year in a contract season. He has also managed to keep a 5.0+ ypc average each of the last two seasons.
Kenny Gainwell
Gainwell was the Eagles 5th round pick in 2021 and showed great potential in a more receiving back role. In his rookie campaign, he had 68 carries for just under 300 yards and five rushing touchdowns. He also contributed to the pass game with 253 yards and another score. Gainwell made an impact in the first game with 37 yards on nine carries and a touchdown. His best game came against Dallas in week 18 when he rushed for 78 yards and a score on 12 carries. Gainwell and Miles can be a great one-two punch with Gainwell getting more confidence and more carries he can be a great complementary back.
Boston Scott
Mr. New York Giants has played his way into a nice role on the Eagles running back rotation. In both games vs NYG he scored a touchdown and rushed for over 40 yards. Scott rushed for 373 yards and seven touchdowns in 2021. He is a good 3rd down back who is sneaky good between the tackles. He will be the 3rd string back and will get his carries because he has earned the respect of fans and the coaching staff. I’d be surprised if he didn’t make the roster this season.
Jason Huntley and Kennedy Brooks
Huntley and Brooks are the last two backs projected to be on the roster. Huntley only saw action in one game and it was a meaningless week 18 game vs the Cowboys. He had 51 yards on 13 carries this game. He was a practice squad player and most likely will be back there again this season if he’s not claimed by another team. Kennedy Brooks is a rookie from Oklahoma who’s more of a power back. Brooks can fill that Jordan Howard role. Brooks had crazy production in his college career rushing for over 1000 yards in each of his three seasons at OU.
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